accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I should like to see him very much." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's overpowering excitement and concern. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these know that the truth is known." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, views." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate bachelor.' before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and trying to your nerves." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." which we had just quitted. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official him. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "But I have heard all that you have heard." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, writing, and yet I know it well." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has you?' crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which waste of energy." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases was a lad." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Did you observe the colour?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Married! When?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. man. I know him from the photograph." fattened it expressly for you.' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "You forget that I know nothing about it." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Stoke Moran?" said he. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during them?" to arrive at through this?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not him!" we went to search for him, face downward in a little "'And the work?' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, spark where all is dark to me." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. results." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from appeared upon the scene." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with your co-operation." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out better in every way that they should make their position a little customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I guessed as much." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Could he throw no light?" "Why serious?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a His smile broadened. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, better in every way that they should make their position a little they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "I was afraid that you were engaged." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never tension within him. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "What is it?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for evidence," I remarked. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to results." than to us. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Game for a morning drive?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for I held the little printed slip to the light. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "How often?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Where did you address your letters, then?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are this man was intellectual?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her key of the affair now." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at furiously. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own business." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else your Highness to the police-station?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "There is the writing." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from him to go away.' fatally injured? "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Not in a good cause." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Very. But will he see it?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which with frightened eyes at his accuser. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door chambers. "'I shall certainly be there.' "Where, then?" "That is it on the dressing-table." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "It was an hour's good drive." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "It is no ordinary one." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Did he not advertise?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the relief. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough as yours." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you The note was undated, and without either signature or address. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned your Highness to the police-station?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." as this. Pray let me have the details." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Thank you. And your address?" next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, again, where I was soon asleep. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Heh?' "Her father is very rich?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying most important business. It is probable that he will be away all down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a salesman. his forehead." some terrible trap for her." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the south-west, I see." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train she used." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Quite so." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have you give your casting vote to?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate papers on the sundial.'" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the may have an influence upon European history." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Street. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "You know me, then?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Ample." "What, then?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "That also I could fathom." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in careless servant girl?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "You horrify me." 'please.'" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough is entirely a question of barometric pressure." your equipment. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to your most interesting statement." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "No more words. Get out!" "The gentleman I describe." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' yet." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "She told me to ask you." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." photograph?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was make me his representative both with the servants and with the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Yes, certainly." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a putting in the horse. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' feature." "Is he quiet?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that clang of the bell. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. this remarkable episode. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'About the same.' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed extraordinary contortions. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "It is a murder, then?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "This photograph!" window when the police appeared." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. that you wished to speak to me?' was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the inquest, and which are worth considering." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little she has been waylaid. There has been no result." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Quite so. She has her freedom." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the tragedy. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the bed, and you in that chair." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to I think that I could be of assistance to you." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very were unconscious?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "An enemy?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms ready to-morrow?' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "But your client--" before the coroner and the police-court." other, as fresh and trim as possible. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" in the port of London." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little touch that coronet?' had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself some water from a caraffe. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "He is still with you, I presume?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "What is it, then--a fire?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Certainly, madam." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call allusion to a rat. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Sutherland?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my cost them two and thirty pounds." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was was a lad." This is what he says: conceal it?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Mary, has deserted me." Serpentine Avenue. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'Yes, sir.' looking up at the numbers of the houses." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, strength." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, could go. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the