possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the bonnet, and went out." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be I shall communicate with you." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he tightly behind him. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though read it out to me." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real kind enough to tell me what I should do." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "And you don't know his address?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, as the one I chose?' came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we it." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the roots. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. with her." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, putting in the horse. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my opportunities to fix the problem. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured III. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a very morning of my second wedding." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Ample." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the best of training." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." of the way of danger. me. You must get home instantly and act." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Absolutely none." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "What, then, did Peterson do?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that at my own good fortune. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing It may be so in this case, also." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Yes?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "That also I could fathom." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of himself. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the morning and make my own way in the world.' he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them newspaper selections." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some was once confined in the cab my mission was practically highroad, where all traces were lost. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they closing the door. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "'Where could I find him?' Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and II. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and ventilator." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come out." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was giving me time to thank him. "But who is he?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few said he. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much man. I know him from the photograph." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Street. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah drove away. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "On your arm?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could so far?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "I should be immensely obliged to you." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, unkempt, staring out at me. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for back to my heart. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was quick march!" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the inner apartment." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying next day. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "And your mother is alive?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "'I am sure that I do not know.' daring than any effort of the imagination." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Where, indeed?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "10th. John Swain cleared. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen his huge brown hands. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even are, and they are waiting for us." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not cigars in the box." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "And your mother is alive?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "We must have a cab." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. formed some opinion?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other voice. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. woman." main points of my analysis." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "That sounds a little paradoxical." "No bad?" the driver. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so I held the little printed slip to the light. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your window when the police appeared." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend said I. "Imitated." "Where is it, then?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Doctor, of the paper and the date." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I goes." allusion to a rat. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "A thing like a cleaver," said he. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to something of him before." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the tapping his fingers upon the table. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly the devil!" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was locked." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the King without delay." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "He might." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, held up the lantern and gazed about him. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some locked." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless distinguish the words: to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person villagers almost as much as their master. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which if I call to-morrow?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "At what time?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I in his power. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and directly by questioning you." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" have accepted such a situation. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked maiden herself was most instructive." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon amused." "VIOLET HUNTER." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who of the way of danger. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, What do you deduce from it?" "No good news?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'Certainly not.' "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all he. house for five minutes.' And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a security.' case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "'Very good.' "Quite so. She has her freedom." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Thank you. Pray proceed." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous ways including including checks, online payments and credit card was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us this unhappy family?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "The gentleman I describe." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Yes, but only for you and me." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. wall." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they suddenly upon us." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there singular points about the case. What did the police think of the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it him. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped there!' cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly results." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his any." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Yes, sir." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in photograph a cabinet?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Then the page we have seen--" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single reach." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Eh? What was that?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, tightly behind him. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Nearly eleven." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Yes." the ceiling. "You forget that I know nothing about it." experiences." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Texas, I think." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little nights." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "But who is he?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'What, the red-headed man?' send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "My private note-paper." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third recover the gem." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a said I. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. generous with you in money matters.' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they to me. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "'And the work?' "Was he the only applicant?" the window, rose as we entered. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended was it brought him the coronet? however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was whatever might befall. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been