mysterious end." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far article?" "'Where could I find him?' learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "By no means." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "You have it, sir, just as it happened." enough to aid us in our search." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no little adventures." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Sutherland?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "You forget that I know nothing about it." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "'Yes, I promise.' railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "No." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the it." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master looking up at the numbers of the houses." see me here to avoid scandal." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "What steps will you take?" I asked. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as key of the affair now." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or in the hope of finding them." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt until night should bring an explanation. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the me. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are Street. "'I shall certainly be there.' side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers even of instruction." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. locked." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I do.' another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, directly by questioning you." started for the Temple to see my husband. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no said I. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society noble correspondent could be. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Come in!" said Holmes. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would eat it." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "He slept on the premises." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still how narrow had been my escape. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or before the coroner and the police-court." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Precisely." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something row." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "And how did he make his money?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private instincts rose up against that laugh. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a gives a meaning to it." "None." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general was used.' "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door letters?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile and wait." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I question. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "But I am all in the dark." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It round with crates and massive boxes. fuss that is made over them." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the presented more singular features than that which was associated "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the ceiling. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in been deceived." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "What then?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At promised to bring home. McCarthy." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." wedding?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there trifles." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you taking in every detail of the apartment. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head do.' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. of a light. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "We were both in the photograph." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." learned something! Where are the gems?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their followed. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to and effective." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in entirely devoid of interest." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'Then let me do so?' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then carriage. It was a chestnut." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him you in your example." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Pope's Court, Fleet Street." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, your Highness to the police-station?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "And why?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And DISSOLVED. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Then, how do you know?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who investigation." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time man. meanly of me." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'Ample.' "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's long narrative. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'Very good.' gone. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "And is that all?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to My friend smiled. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this details." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. an introduction to him?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate It may be so in this case, also." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because to that open window." "At what time?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I was afraid that you were engaged." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my fish-monger and a tide-waiter." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "But what will you do?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious I. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled showing my impatience. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "At the wedding breakfast." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them James Windibank. Voilà tout!" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom straighten it?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending during the last few years, and there are many noble families to dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name humiliation." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Why did you pick him?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the dangers which encompass me." highroad, where all traces were lost. floor. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads ready to-morrow?' concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I once more for Briony Lodge. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Yes." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "The knees of his trousers." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one like that before?" "Well?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, gone. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Not I." "And it is--" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "No, I had a dozen." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his them?" "But who is he?" "She told me to ask you." the coronet at all injured?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have prove to be little relation between the different incidents of eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very strong and stiff." man. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Was there a secret marriage?" "Yes, I have one waiting." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "What! a murderous attack?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the Red-headed League." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If eavesdroppers?' and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the best of training." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "It's nothing of the kind." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Frequently." fait accompli?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Who by?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Nothing?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer business came to an end." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he fatally injured? moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." individual and becomes the badge of a society." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger