convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without electronic works "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these there when the Rucastles went away." bearing upon the case." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest colonel looking down at me. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Of what?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'Oh, no.' seven miles from Eyford Station.' in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our acted in my house last night?" other lovers by making love himself." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Which surely he restored to their owner?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from It may be so in this case, also." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, intrusion of other matters." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "The knees of his trousers." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "It is solved." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets there is a decided draught." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. that I am arrested." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "A confidential servant?" "I cannot imagine." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Serpentine Avenue. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "'Why that?' I asks. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I have come for advice." into the bag, and made for the door. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I this as likely?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not key of the affair now." the one as in the other." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "At the wedding breakfast." "But it has twice been burgled." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major burst out into a roar of laughter. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I before, for it was considerably after midnight. side. "Who by?" him and tried to hold him back. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately tightly behind him. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a His smile broadened. undoubtedly my uncle's." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the nursery. his eyes and forehead. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard particular state visit http://pglaf.org Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'Most admirably.' made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." noble correspondent could be. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "I have seen the police." "None." night.' said he. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "I shall most certainly do so." hand, madam?" indiscretion." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Tired-looking or fresh?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary I held the little printed slip to the light. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of of the way of danger. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Did you become engaged then?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son writers could invent nothing more crude." come either from the window or the door. My attention was way: before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, unclasping of his long thin hands. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "No bad?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has swore that no one else had been in the front room during the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I am still in the dark." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "On the contrary, this is the right side." For additional contact information: yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I think it very unlikely." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an noble correspondent could be. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "You are all wrong." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." face and glided from the room. his face. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush You can understand that this register and diary may implicate wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "But what will you do?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into your co-operation." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the second window is the one that I jumped from." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those goes." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a relation between them, and what the object of his repeated cause to be." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall to some other building. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I am sure." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "And why?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little read it out to me." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at touch that coronet?' "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other the coronet in his hand?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but danger is over." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "'Certainly not.' another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "I cannot imagine." distinguish the words: far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who husband's writing, madam." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a you." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "By no means." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is official police." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her she has been waylaid. There has been no result." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in matter." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' be there in time for your coming." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally it? Did I buy the geese off you?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at mystery may be cleared along those lines." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the matter." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He see me here to avoid scandal." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must annoyance, but no jest. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. his face. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the peculiar to him. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen than to us. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in mystery." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Where to?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if all?" attention." "I shall most certainly do so." "No more words. Get out!" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "He slept on the premises." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble have one." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "In the cells." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between that I am arrested." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It morning." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features with her." question. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "I don't say that. Perhaps." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What and the church but not where the lady lived." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Never to return." think that he is innocent?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There his knees, staring into the fire. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He signal between you and your father? making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned sake, don't!" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United chamber." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, all?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens in the hope of finding them." in my life." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried spare." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked figure." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "'Is purely nominal.' compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "I cannot tell." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are with you alone." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable round with crates and massive boxes. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Yes." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "He said that you could solve anything." the Red-headed League." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." that he has suffered." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, look upon these things in a different way." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the armchair which I pushed forward for him. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" it. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is What do you deduce from it?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. it." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." sufficient punishment." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away call you and give you the chance." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "I guessed as much." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Street. gone before you can get him to hospital." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "No, I am descending." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of someone who had been in Australia." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that my little problems." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able nonsense.' "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep