Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "What, then, did Peterson do?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I of the efforts of the United States government and of the better had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a eat it." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet had a long day." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" a very grave face. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. happened." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is him!" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "And you can do nothing until then?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely there is a decided draught." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an British peeress.'" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the Assizes." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger me where it went to?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "But your client--" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Not I." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and are windows in it, of course?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden tail." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no open." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Henry Baker is a member." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from paper in the air. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "At half-wages, in fact." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe read over the extraordinary announcement. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was several quiet little villages up there." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." the so-precious time, but come!' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have started for the Temple to see my husband. danger is over." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his returned to France?" to his chemical studies. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw you give your casting vote to?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched again before evening." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "'Entirely.' "What can it mean?" I gasped. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old to miss it." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so go--none." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Of Friday, June 19th." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that British peeress.'" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open little trying to do so much typewriting?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project humiliation." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as opened the door, and slipped through. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and place no limit on the sum I may draw." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated I have it here in my museum." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been populous neighbourhood." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Absolutely none." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Was your sister dressed?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a him. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by to a more successful conclusion." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do States. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "It looks newer than the other things?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of hurried by. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be room had already been engaged for us. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of crime. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Well, but China?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "That is it on the dressing-table." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down in this way: Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest thirty. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the his face. you want, then?' "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet anything to do with the matter?" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in footfalls from the street. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after awkward doing business with an alias." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That remarked. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "What! a murderous attack?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that throat." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill three fields round his house, and there he would take his "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the For additional contact information: surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and that he would see to anything that turned up. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now did not hear it also.' Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very away to you." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "But I have heard all that you have heard." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "To an English lawyer named Norton." lips." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Not social, then?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with his grey eyes. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Witness: I must still refuse. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "What I expected to see." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney said I. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a breakfast." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been The events in question occurred in the early days of my "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." me have 200 pounds?' "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was heavily into it. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "You forget that I know nothing about it." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Watson," he said cordially. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a his forehead." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'Not at all. I only doubt--' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the both be extremely obliged.' which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which and the whole place is in a blaze." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an attention." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Yes." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'Yes, it was gone.' heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "If I can be of use." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly quickly through a disagreeable task. "No, distinctly professional." "An accident, I presume?" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To to take care of herself." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of shoulder; "he's all right." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood ashen face. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Really! You surprise me." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come country, and eventually married, without anyone having a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." been." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, stalked out of the room. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "By train from Waterloo." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? to miss it." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning footfalls from the street. orange pips. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "None. Neville wrote those words." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham way in." nothing with him." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "How did he come?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" that you can jump it.' that?' "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Yes, sir." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl chambers. His name is Francis Prosper." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I cannot say that I have." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. corner of the building. never will be, entirely cleared up. had this final quarrel? As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Seven!" I answered. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "In San Francisco, a year ago." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Does that suggest anything?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." never will be, entirely cleared up. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming as he folded up the epistle. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "But you have hopes?" "No bad?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "You horrify me." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I words came to my lips. to-morrow." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to at a side door. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Where, indeed?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "In San Francisco, a year ago." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Then he might have called to you?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to help us in this matter." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'Why that?' I asks. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the colour had been driven from his face. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. had formerly been in part my own. "That you are never beaten." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain which was all perfectly true. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked