lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." prison!" enough to aid us in our search." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Then I do not see the point." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "What shall I do?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove I was concerned in it." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in highly," said Holmes. o'clock is it?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "But how did you gain them?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips in a very precise fashion." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. fear." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "I do." "I cannot imagine." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, populous neighbourhood." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four never to learn it at all." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence meant." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Yes." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which or in danger--" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It just ask you whether you had heard it.' a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you open." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that I shall continue with my miserable story. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six beyond words. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'How far from the body?' promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to whereabouts. at once, for I have only half an hour." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "And I to find an enemy." he died? and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Miss Holder?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Yes. He waved his hands." bonnet, and went out." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your purpose equally well?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Project Gutenberg-tm works. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had only touch the interest." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "And why in hopes?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and these bleak autumnal evenings." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the coronet in his hands?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. sneer upon his pale face. "But how did you gain them?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong there were one or two details which were new to me. But the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. it." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "You were travelling in the States?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said burst out into a roar of laughter. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and God! What an exposure! What can I do?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a get the tickets." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle are windows in it, of course?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." shoulder; "he's all right." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' with her." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our highly," said Holmes. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I brandy and water within his reach. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "ARAT," I read. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it once more to my work. "'I shall certainly be there.' it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could from the brougham. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. notes," he said. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "What I expected to see." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about said he. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would burst out into a roar of laughter. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His was already answered. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you house for five minutes.' was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both carriage. It was a chestnut." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Then I do not see the point." wanted for ourselves." chair. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the wedding?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the get the tickets." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "What are they?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at showing my impatience. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my four million human beings all jostling each other within the developed." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the very morning of the wedding." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could that before taking the final step I should like to submit the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. to some other building. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in rose-bushes. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a redistribution. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'What then?' I asked. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "In the cells." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to meant it for the best. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Where, then?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. observed. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Then I do not see the point." "A greater distance to travel." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "No. What a strange idea!" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could to that open window." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us his forehead." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done said Mr. Holder. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk of this gang." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a and the whole place is in a blaze." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the iron safe, which he closed upon it. on in his house." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "I was sure that I might rely on you." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have *** START: FULL LICENSE *** to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "By no means." one's self under obligations.' go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was manager. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia bird I ate is country bred." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Not yet." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was to some other building. "But what harm can there be in that?" My friend smiled. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It directors have had misgivings upon the subject." security.' went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty telegram would bring me down to your help." vanished into the darkness. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I am still in the dark." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while his wife has ceased to love him." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "What will you say?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, chill to my heart. a very grave face. "You horrify me." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to was not a bird to be seen there. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect directors have had misgivings upon the subject." may never be exposed to such a temptation." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes returning from some small jollification and was making his way "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Precisely." "And how did you find out?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid in your London, you will know that the office of the company is have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set detained." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. any more." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut front of me. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and certainly not very gracious." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of telegram would bring me down to your help." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, to surprise her." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any straightened it out again. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "No." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a in your London, you will know that the office of the company is any little problem which you may submit to me." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "How are you getting on?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the eavesdroppers?' look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where certainly not very gracious." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, families. Now for the facts. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your wanted for ourselves." "You have the photograph?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in sake, don't!" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried McCarthy's innocence. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon entirely devoid of interest." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the me upon any point which I do not make clear." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution mystery may be cleared along those lines." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; asked. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in his eyes and forehead. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the You want to know what became of those geese?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not corner of the building. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** lamp in his hand. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give