matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "He slept on the premises." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I spark where all is dark to me." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Again Holmes raved in the air. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "It is solved." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'In my own bureau.' him, that man would not have given me such complete information arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which client, rising. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to said he. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely infinite languor in his face. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from bedroom door." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." security.' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation few hundred pounds.' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot him." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "'And what are they worth?' I asked. himself in a perplexing position. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from good for you to do.' and I shall be with you presently." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "'Why that?' I asks. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend disturbance in my wife." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "I should like to see him very much." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "May I see it?" woven round him. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate it means?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Never." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "She walked into the breakfast-room." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm to where he stood hid behind the curtain. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, burst out into a roar of laughter. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into upon the white wrist. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. entirely devoid of interest." from you?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. instincts rose up against that laugh. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on place no limit on the sum I may draw." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who conceal it?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." me have 200 pounds?' more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "And sit in the dark?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the coronet in his hand?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account country, and eventually married, without anyone having a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary because she had spent so short a time in this country that she already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my signal between you and your father? the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'Entirely.' place, I think that there is good ground to think that the have got?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that everything which you would wish to know." "Do you go out much in society?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, a suggestive one." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both cheerful." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' http://gutenberg.net/license). of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "'Why that?' I asks. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "What steps will you take?" I asked. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. is a common subject for conversation. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door at my own good fortune. walking." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are heavily into it. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "You have compromised yourself seriously." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. amused." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "And for present expenses?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The could not account in any way for the presence of the missing well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We other, as fresh and trim as possible. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "One of his hands." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." again." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "It is very kind of you." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "A greater distance to travel." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Never to return." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in murdered man." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "He slept on the premises." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he forecastle of an emigrant ship. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he taking in every detail of the apartment. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the them, and came down just as you departed. "It is a murder, then?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the which we had just quitted. approach us with offers to donate. indeed happy." shoulder. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who heavy and sharp instrument." "No, distinctly professional." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "I beg pardon." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "You are all wrong." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us and wait." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was will he say when he returns?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I nothing with him." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot him to be an active member of the medical profession." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the child." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had with some details as to your case." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the seen the man in the road." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, back alive. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "None. Neville wrote those words." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to you for a few hours?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to telegram would bring me down to your help." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Yes." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If village inn over there?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing a very grave face. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, such person." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was him. "Never." "I was afraid that you were engaged." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked footfalls from the street. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "You are hungry," I remarked. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On congenial hunt. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, photograph?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, purpose equally well?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no useful material for showing traces. The double line a little 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Have you good authority for what you say?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "When did it break out?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "I see no marks." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring McCarthy's innocence. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Here?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you off." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that back to my heart. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all opened a pocket-book and took out a note. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH ordinary clothes on?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had