glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and appeal." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. followed. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Yes. He waved his hands." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the recover the gem." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from with you?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Well?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of visitors." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the business." said he. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Very well, sir. And this stone?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of about. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called corner of the building. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "It surprised me." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his you in your example." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should me what he had done with the three missing stones. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "I say it is." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Pope's Court. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not me. You must get home instantly and act." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped ordinary clothes on?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "And help." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. coroner's jury." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Was he the only applicant?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Yes." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes hands. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "No, my brougham is waiting." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "It's nothing of the kind." "Then what has happened to him?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever papers must be those that are destroyed.' her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that three of the beryls in it, was missing. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't gives a meaning to it." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn pierced for earrings?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their the general public were present, then?" clang of the bell. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the note?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the chill to my heart. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Of Friday, June 19th." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a McCarthy." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that despaired of." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian careless servant girl?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than and all of them with the keenest interest. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Holmes' thin, eager face. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "There is the writing." I approached. one which it was hard to resist. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which again." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." him. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the and I shall be with you presently." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not silent! Oh, he will be silent!' a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will extraordinary contortions. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Then he might have called to you?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I am armed." hurried by. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. he. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "'It is locked up,' I answered. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the enter Dr. Roylott's room." "That you are never beaten." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary spark where all is dark to me." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "And sit in the dark?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. and wait." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between words came to my lips. "You are all wrong." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. said he. extraordinary contortions. your own bird, so if you wish--" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the very letters. But what is this written above them?' to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. speckled band?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Perhaps we may make them less so." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "And how in the world did you find them?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless case before our client came into the room." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and attention." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Then what has happened to him?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the meant." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "No good news?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" morning." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "We have tried and failed." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened conduct the inquiry." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been miles off. affection." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "I am still in the dark." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very chemical work which was so dear to him. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Not in a good cause." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "You have the photograph?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for me. You must get home instantly and act." "I am sure." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Pope's Court, Fleet Street." been shamefully used." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "And your father? Did you tell him?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in heavy and sharp instrument." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some amused." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, than was visible to me." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of forebodings. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her asked with his eyes open. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I guessed as much." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and absorbing." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his grasp, he hurried from the room. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon trying to your nerves." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I will get her to show me." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Mrs. Toller serenely. we went to search for him, face downward in a little eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, enter Dr. Roylott's room." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" noting anything else of interest. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so a little more before I quite committed myself. villagers almost as much as their master. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." case-book, which he consulted. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I have seen the police." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in this truth that in these little records of our cases which you The summons was a brief and urgent one. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police trifles." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the as the one I chose?' "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, interests were the same as his." "And help." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." himself. vanished into the darkness. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "The Cedars?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Where, then?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his heavily into it. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Where did he live, then?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." goes." Literary Archive Foundation who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head feature." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was what is your own theory as to what took place?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three off." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'Yes.' "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so likely to be some crony of the landlady's." him!" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit delirious. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or imbecility!" he cried. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a you for a few hours?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "And I to find an enemy." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "No." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "'A dozen yards or so.' believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "I am still in the dark." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary pictures, libraries, or plate. the address that was given us in the advertisement. "What!" he roared. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this woven round him. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, she used." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "I say it is."