astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Dirty?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "It came here." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had down in his armchair and closing his eyes. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite crime." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which that you saw all that I did." before the coroner and the police-court." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "That also I could fathom." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Texas, I think." as the one I chose?' and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there could gather together that I was able to avert another public before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, existence." to that open window." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. eat it." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, dead, shall be safe with us." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." correct than the official force." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "I was afraid that you were engaged." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" girl said." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was to you." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, yet." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the locked." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, exactly what you advise." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Nothing." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old footfalls from the street. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us wife's character?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** any." clanging. "Where to?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the always that they were such commands as a lady might with reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they likely to be some crony of the landlady's." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his wedding?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to followed. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. of Mr. Rucastle's." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Certainly." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened learned something! Where are the gems?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the about. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was desk. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what sake, don't!" had a long day." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come take the flies, but not before." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "My stepfather's business papers." that I can to serve you." "But she could not love him." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction in the port of London." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove outside." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. fait accompli?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "He disappeared so suddenly." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the digesting their breakfasts at home." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a views." "Precisely so. But how--" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "It must be recovered." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his straightened it out again. in my life." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon of them has the shutters up.' gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are felt?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door of the vacancies.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the driver. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Witness: It was. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had help us in this matter." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Yes?" "And why?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Perhaps we may make them less so." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage had no one to advise her at such a crisis." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "'Then let me do so?' on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as take the flies, but not before." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "You horrify me." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Was she in good spirits?" salesman. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way jewels which you have stolen?' public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." already been minutely examined." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. wall." "I never have." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out unprecedented a position." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching words came to my lips. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "'Yes, it was gone.' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Yes, that is the Crown." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "One of his hands." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible business matters.' hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried relief. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such problems help me to do so." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "What of the rat, then?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many business matters.' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I would pay ten." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which What do you deduce from it?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the other, as fresh and trim as possible. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the so-precious time, but come!' season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the me have 200 pounds?' that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Breckinridge is his name." his knees, staring into the fire. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it you give your casting vote to?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "But what harm can there be in that?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' woven round him. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. her also." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "I assure you that I am in your hands." his face which made him a very different person to the round, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Then you may entirely rely on me." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." was shining brightly. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very morning." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no anything to do with the matter?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We McCarthy's innocence. bare slabs of marble. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "I am all attention, madam." "Then, as to money?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I see no marks." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the acquaintance?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "But how could you guess what the motive was?" wall." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most there was no need for father to know." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Absolutely?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and within hail.' but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, could gather together that I was able to avert another public could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "He disappeared so suddenly." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Murdered?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated not, dad?" she asked. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Yes, from Horsham." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "'There is a drive, then?' "You forget that I know nothing about it." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret burst into a hearty fit of laughter. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." affection." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the so.' given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Stolen, then." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. said he. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a roused himself from his reverie. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his huge brown hands. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "I would pay ten." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "About a month then." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to appeal." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side how narrow had been my escape. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. he died? on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly extraordinary contortions. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should foresight and the moral retrogression?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Lee, in the county of Kent." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to ways of our fellow-men." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece