"I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving dead, shall be safe with us." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced train.' deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are to Leatherhead. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle way in." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John populous neighbourhood." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back you." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "My last client of the sort was a king." "I should wish to." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "By no means." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was whether it answered to the description of any of their consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "9th. McCauley cleared. "I see many objections to any such theory." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, learned something! Where are the gems?" "And why in hopes?" "His face fell immediately. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I never have." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the in his power. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Yes, only one." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "You did not overhear what they said?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "But his lameness?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. a good hundred miles off by now." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his of receipt of the work. were unconscious?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress late!' sake, don't!" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the about here speaks of his kindness to him." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Eh? What was that?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "How on earth--" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step excitement. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy and laid it on the table. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken six. Come in!" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands business in the City. She little knew what. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of his grey eyes. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in this truth that in these little records of our cases which you sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the iron safe, which he closed upon it. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Was she in good spirits?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to front of me. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. deduce something from that?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' http://gutenberg.net/license). the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon morning." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to society." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock chair. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. have got?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, read over the extraordinary announcement. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "You think so, too?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "But his left-handedness." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a there!' "Perfectly so." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out upon an income of about 60 pounds." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. some water from a caraffe. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the over with notes and figures. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all started for the Temple to see my husband. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a do." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe will he say when he returns?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was in the hope of finding them." straighten it?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down mystery!" "That is easily got." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "My own seal." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "That is it on the dressing-table." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." to-night's adventure." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the felt?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless thin, with a long, sharp nose?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated hard-headed British jury." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. coat-tails." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' discontent upon his features. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "And for present expenses?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Not in the least." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we maid will bring up your coffee." way: walking." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand you give your casting vote to?" outbreak?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Certainly." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on system of imprisonment?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism my special province." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great to-night?" I asked. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would lost his Christmas dinner." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there disturbance in my wife." "I cannot imagine." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round tell me that you intended to go into harness." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "That sounds a little paradoxical." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, closely." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the drove away. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in are, and they are waiting for us." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual to miss it." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind and the church but not where the lady lived." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name woman who has had her own way to make in the world. way: has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which make me his representative both with the servants and with the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I have come for advice." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat were unconscious?" "But the mystery?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another or in danger--" never came back." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "What are they?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "I don't say that. Perhaps." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." standing smiling on the door-step. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "How are you getting on?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as learned something! Where are the gems?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Not I." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "I should be immensely obliged to you." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that this unhappy family?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Then what has happened to him?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Where does the thing come from?' "Well, it is a possible supposition." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without new acquaintance to Baker Street. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three considering the formidable letters which were received by himself wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "And I to find an enemy." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Witness: It was. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" that there was nothing in it, after all." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through himself to tell his story. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their without success. At last the little money which I had saved began some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to DISSOLVED. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your three of the beryls in it, was missing. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and skylight. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that was a lad." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "There are none." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of that I may have something better before very many minutes are Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss of receipt of the work. in a friendly supper." "Well?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" back into the street. chair. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" disappearance of the bride.'" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side once more to my work. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "And how?" annoyance, but no jest. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "VIOLET HUNTER." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." this Miss Turner."