"I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Nearly eleven." "I say that I have solved it." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "One of the highest in England." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Tired-looking or fresh?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Your sister is dead, then?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the ceiling. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it place of silver." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the station." mystery may be cleared along those lines." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Gutenberg-tm License. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "ARAT," I read. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my was keenly on my guard against him. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Seven!" I answered. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I cannot as yet see any connection." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a business matters.' "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several think you a quite exceptional woman." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Which surely he restored to their owner?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is to change my dress. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news whether it answered to the description of any of their younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia said I. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" upon the sideboard." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is frequently gained my first real insight into the character of c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Holmes' thin, eager face. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "That is possible." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "What, then, did Peterson do?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Nothing." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." know all about it," he snarled. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two you?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Never." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Oh, yes, easily." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered was it brought him the coronet? He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the new acquaintance to Baker Street. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a flock.' "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I do." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her death." foot. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I think that it is very probable." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which followed. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he lectures into a series of tales." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, IS "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after his knees, staring into the fire. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to conclusions. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more have not had my rubber." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I have my revolver," said I. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a be.' Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "But she could not love him." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "'Stolen!' he cried. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each away to you." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time you." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled remarked. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear cheerful." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "It missed him, then?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An but preventing her from injuring another. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'I am sure that I do not know.' "And Miss Sutherland?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "And why?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "What I expected to see." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "'As governess?' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how written, and locked the door of the office after me. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' help us in this matter." returning from some small jollification and was making his way thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while digesting their breakfasts at home." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "A client, then?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a His name is Francis Prosper." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "I never have." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Entirely." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" danger is over." written. as he remarks, very much against the son." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand me what he had done with the three missing stones. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now assist you in forming an opinion." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to we went to search for him, face downward in a little soul! here is her carriage at the door." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "On the contrary, this is the right side." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Not yet." and your relations to her." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire face and glided from the room. "Pray do so." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'Yes, I promise.' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Then you may entirely rely on me." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Mrs. Toller serenely. heavy and sharp instrument." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' money should be paid at once.' been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Awake, Watson?" he asked. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I will not look." with some details as to your case." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods in a friendly supper." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come was used.' London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Yes." I leave." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "How about poison?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Entirely." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "'There is a drive, then?' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Do you know him?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with to me. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. that When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the very letters. But what is this written above them?' at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable husband's writing, madam." forebodings. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call them?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and this man was intellectual?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the lamp in his hand. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Nothing." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "No, I had a dozen." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come like gravel from a pit.' ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." on re-entering her father's house?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring pierced for earrings?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "To the police?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." heavy and sharp instrument." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of spare." London for the present?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he tension within him. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be the morning and make my own way in the world.' whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked not, dad?" she asked. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step standing smiling on the door-step. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself have established a very serious case against the son of the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush lamp. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "My Mary? Impossible!" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, 1.F. "He said that you could solve anything." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried arrangements." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man page at http://pglaf.org abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "He is dead," cried several voices. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to arrangements." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Sholtos." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "What is it, then--a fire?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the goes." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The was keenly on my guard against him. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent confronted him. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in advice." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many breakfast and whispered something to her husband. footfalls from the street. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low