business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be already referred to. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "And why?" "At what time?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "'What, the red-headed man?' "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 might help us?" "What then?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at intrusion of other matters." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Come in!" said he. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning his huge brown hands. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah bore every mark of being an average commonplace British when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, you in your example." believe that I should never have any practice at all. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. roused himself from his reverie. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring for its centre. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "What have you to say now?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have not, dad?" she asked. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "And now?" He raised his hand. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the nice household for a young lady." "But what will you do?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "My last client of the sort was a king." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and fattened it expressly for you.' process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found detective. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and writer." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open there is a decided draught." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Stolen, then." your sleep?' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in until night should bring an explanation. on in his house." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "A client, then?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has did not hear it also.' them?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in redistribution. strong reason behind." delirious. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "In which, sir?" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was conduct the inquiry." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my purpose equally well?" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments questioning and rather startled gaze. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." knowledge of the world." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason and glanced through. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "A call for help, you thought?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "No, finished." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "And on what day did he meet his death?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Arthur Conan Doyle pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start page at http://pglaf.org reach." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to your only hope of safety." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten points in connection with it which never have been, and probably established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would on in his house." "Yes." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not floor. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "I will get her to show me." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the nursery. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Look there!" said he. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "She told me to ask you." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. straighten it?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Yes, at the mines." "Yesterday." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear have accepted such a situation. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Witness: I must still refuse. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under was it brought him the coronet? Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Where, indeed?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? very old mansion. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable feature." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no done what I asked you, Jones?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "'Entirely.' "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a this Miss Turner." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I outside." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue three fields round his house, and there he would take his out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "But how will you look?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "How many? I don't know." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and your own bird, so if you wish--" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat companion. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. narrative." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the coronet at all injured?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, deduce something from that?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." was a lad." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips swore that no one else had been in the front room during the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Tired-looking or fresh?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I am armed." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Come in!" said Holmes. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I have hopes." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "And on what day did he meet his death?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre again before evening." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, fattened it expressly for you.' five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to the address that was given us in the advertisement. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear amused." thin legs towards the fire. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close you found me to-night--and running through the front room she that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Won't it ring?" would then never go into court at all." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "And what then?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "I should like to see him very much." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, his fortune, and I went back to pa. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face shaken than I had ever seen him. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced occupations.' idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the flock.' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had together. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned straighten it?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Certainly, madam." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their that hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then written, and locked the door of the office after me. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs waste of energy." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Quite so. She has her freedom." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Why? What do you mean?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud fashion which was peculiar to him. village inn over there?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly of Mr. Rucastle's." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side hour." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our awaited us upon the table. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more discontent upon his features. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "One horse?" interjected Holmes. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over http://www.gutenberg.net he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email she to prove their authenticity?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm me upon any point which I do not make clear." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself IS call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "And from a noble client?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked fish-monger and a tide-waiter." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was forbidden door. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we presented which may be striking and bizarre without being have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "An enemy?" page at http://pglaf.org down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was views." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my