thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he one else, I think." in a very precise fashion." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Certainly, madam." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "And why?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to writer." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "That sounds a little paradoxical." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after foot. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand if she died from some sudden fright." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "No." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything of it with the greatest attention. "Yes." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "But who is he?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Stoke Moran." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the for securing the situation." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "But you can know nothing of this?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and too. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for gigantic client. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Will you go?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "My Mary? Impossible!" hereditary King of Bohemia." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when hand, madam?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "By train from Waterloo." noting anything else of interest. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "No, my brougham is waiting." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "None." delighted to hear it," he said. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "May I see it?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Murdered?" stepfather?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money this unhappy family?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and villagers almost as much as their master. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Clair, of Lee." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. over here." photograph a cabinet?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "She walked into the breakfast-room." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." felt?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Which are?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after strong and stiff." I. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell could not have written that. It is the German who is so Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! coat-tails." his cane at the bell-pull. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Of Friday, June 19th." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "No bad?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had society." garden below. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Really! You surprise me." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and gone. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been strength in the others." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am about here speaks of his kindness to him." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "I beg pardon." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Yes." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO opportunities to fix the problem. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to clang of the bell. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands his forehead." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely conceal it?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out o'clock is it?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two about here speaks of his kindness to him." business came to an end." "Did he not advertise?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "One of his hands." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than over part of the map. "What do you read?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "This concluded the examination of the witness." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and happened." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have voice, changing her seat as requested. overpowering excitement and concern. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "I am in hopes that she does." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, fact, we may call it conclusive." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during fait accompli?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "I will, Miss Turner." ashen face. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the instincts rose up against that laugh. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Count Von Kramm." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to four million human beings all jostling each other within the did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "I cannot tell." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Dr. Becher's." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few seem to you to be relevant or not." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' unprofitable." "There are none." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I am armed." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, been deceived." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable his grey eyes. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will him to be an active member of the medical profession." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view from you?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, infinite languor in his face. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this roused himself from his reverie. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "It came here." you in your example." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a detained." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Imitated." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "'Where could I find him?' took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was it." to talk it over. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a nice household for a young lady." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." garden below. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "And who is her maid?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "No. What a strange idea!" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Witness: I must still refuse. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Witness: It was. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "But how will you look?" and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small to change my dress. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I am to be neutral?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "The landlord of the Alpha." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. such attractions and accomplishments?' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the very morning of my second wedding." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I as yours." wedding?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "I see many objections to any such theory." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the in his power. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. business." this Miss Turner." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "That sounds a little paradoxical." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that careless servant girl?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I cannot think." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, empty. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? would apply.' "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, dates and names. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'No, I know no one in these parts.' husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "By no means." Mary, has deserted me." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "What office?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole been deceived." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Absolutely?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "'I am sure if I had known--' I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not present." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "His face fell immediately. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, or in danger--" never will be, entirely cleared up. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'About the same.' considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Stolen." I am not easy in my mind about them." trifles." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it a very grave face. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Well, it is a possible supposition." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has said Mr. Holder. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many returned to France?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been rat could hardly pass through." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Look there!" said he. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "He is still with you, I presume?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the devil!" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "'Yes, sir.' "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite made his money." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said hurried by. man. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I would give my fortune to have them back." answered with a sidelong glance. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Absolutely none."