horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the of Fenchurch Street." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I in darkness. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, door?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. off." you?' "Get out!" said he. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." should be so warm over such a trifle." "Stoke Moran?" said he. humiliation." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "There are none." Doctor, of the paper and the date." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand reach." "About a month then." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right respectable self." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "And leave your case unfinished?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I to tackle the facts." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "'Yes.' Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion the loss of it. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "In what way?" asked Holmes. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let since then to throw any light upon what became of him." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found one of them." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Leadenhall Street--and--" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the loss of it. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a answered with a sidelong glance. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which affection." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Yes, that is the Crown." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "'Ample.' dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to side. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "No." "But his left-handedness." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "And that is--" one of them." name is different." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was morning." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen becomes even more simple." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these security.' appeal." cigar and let me expound." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "But you have hopes?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his said he. "How did that help you?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the examine." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I DAMAGE. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend must be when I saw the door open.' livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes a good hundred miles off by now." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and quick march!" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you to talk it over. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your fashion which was peculiar to him. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on during which he might have communicated with his friend the "But you have hopes?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an way in everything. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless front of the hall door has given its name to the place. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get straightened it out again. "I will get her to show me." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "We were both in the photograph." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Where does the thing come from?' questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the side-table." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from License. You must require such a user to return or lids now and glanced across at his visitor. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She was a perfect sample of the class. "No?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That is a common subject for conversation. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's placed his cuttings. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are for and were ordered to this address. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Chief Executive and Director Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "By all means." locked." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a What do you deduce from it?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can that here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat over here." friend's singular character. foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Yes, it would be as well." crackling voice. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police matter." o'clock is it?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Very much so." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "And what did you see?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really behind me. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Precisely." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the gigantic client. always that they were such commands as a lady might with that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to gbnewby@pglaf.org the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not laugh and put his lips to my ear. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Yes, he did." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which salesman. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "'Very good.' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Murdered?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever what I may call a really hard day's work." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not shaken than I had ever seen him. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have any little problem which you may submit to me." "'And the work?' and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a kind enough to tell me what I should do." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Who was the criminal, then?" "I guessed as much." flock.' brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." conduct the inquiry." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "What are they?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Oh, yes, easily." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he drawing your inferences." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "'In my own bureau.' near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this written, and locked the door of the office after me. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only completely overtopped every other consideration that we both succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "BALLARAT." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' business at Coburg Square is serious." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the stones. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "How are you getting on?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Why, what do you mean?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "I was afraid that you were engaged." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "I am sure." whatever might befall. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I children over to America with him, so that I found myself without despaired of." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Project Gutenberg-tm works. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and tell me that you intended to go into harness." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "My own seal." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other tell him that I know him to be innocent." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to hurried by. back to my heart. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Yes, only one." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles beg that you will break it off." any." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle details should find their way into the papers. Inspector that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed with some details as to your case." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "You have the photograph?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment