'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. security.' permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no had this final quarrel? the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss other, as fresh and trim as possible. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her here and I will read it to you: "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, even of instruction." miles off. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps tell them apart.' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning thought that she would have been so carried away." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "We must have a cab." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way perplexity from it to my illustrious client. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a some mystery and the punishment of some crime." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I carriage. It was a chestnut." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I have seen the police." "Yes, only one." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that I have it here in my museum." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "At what time?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to go from here to the Strand." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Witness: Nothing definite. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible whereabouts. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." power." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled in the dead of the night?' on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands or other trace. But how on earth--" coroner's jury." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" noble correspondent could be. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "I warn you that they are very incomplete." not personally threatened." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up I leave." "Where did you address your letters, then?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Nothing." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. companion. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Not particularly." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "I should be immensely obliged to you." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe in one or two places in England?' round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits legal crime." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "In San Francisco, a year ago." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." any." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. points to suicide?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "But his left-handedness." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "It missed him, then?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty What do you deduce from it?" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "At the wedding breakfast." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside troubles have been weighing upon his mind. has little to do with my story." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Really! You surprise me." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted mysterious end." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "And your mother is alive?" were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I is now desirous of getting those letters back." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he papers must be those that are destroyed.' cup of tea. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should conclusions. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Yes, all." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very obstinate." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Nothing?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside was a perfect sample of the class. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the Red-headed League." if I call to-morrow?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to strength." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the mysterious end." "His face fell immediately. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Did you observe the colour?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for said he. people in all walks of life. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "'I am sure if I had known--' typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main disappearance of the bride.'" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, into the room. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "It is solved." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have purpose of examination. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter would then never go into court at all." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Have you it here?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear woman." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "'Certainly not.' always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." back alive. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But how narrow had been my escape. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore not as remarkable as your advertisement." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the really the only notable feature about the thing." as the one I chose?' "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so learned something! Where are the gems?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they felt the room to be a little close.' feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "How did he come?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the coronet at all injured?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his up this clue while it is still hot." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between daring than any effort of the imagination." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by you." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "At the wedding breakfast." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel roused himself from his reverie. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the that he will be back before evening." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." dates and names. washing it down with a long draught of water. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, away into the river." meanly of me." is so. I know all about McCarthy." you give your casting vote to?" as he folded up the epistle. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, less than 26s. 4d. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Ten will be early enough." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "It's nothing of the kind." your Highness to the police-station?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, written, and locked the door of the office after me. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered brought there to personate someone, and the real person is a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "What is it?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Stolen." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the spare." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already hopeless attempt at recovering them." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "And I to find an enemy." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Serpentine Avenue. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss that you can jump it.' "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a is acting for the best. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel that?' Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the house with me." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which was already answered. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we least a fellow-countryman. events than those which have happened in my own family." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon for the market.' silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps you, my dear young lady?' 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern You can understand that this register and diary may implicate very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I guessed as much." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set definite end. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to indeed which he could not unravel. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and out of this horrible affair." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a During two years I have had three consultations and one small attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative a few minutes he said that it would be all right. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a money should be paid at once.' of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Very well, sir. And this stone?" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Serpentine Avenue. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. have an American origin." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "That also I could fathom." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his too. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the we went to search for him, face downward in a little I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Eh? What was that?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.