looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making License. You must require such a user to return or considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows society." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' fat-encircled eyes. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Yes, that is the Crown." "You did not overhear what they said?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I point in the dark hollow of his hand. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers several quiet little villages up there." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "By train from Waterloo." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Precisely." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Yes." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for key of the affair now." keep the flames under. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of me have 200 pounds?' "9th. McCauley cleared. Lee, in the county of Kent." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "You are certainly joking, Holmes." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one along the entire front of the house, with three long windows at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "And what did you see?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. father's place of business?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "My dear Holmes!" "Murdered?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "And when will you call?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Then you may be so with me." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I think that I had better go, Holmes." papers on the sundial.'" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the south-west, I see." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "How did you deduce the select?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "It certainly sounds feasible." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings very morning of my second wedding." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the driver. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little searched, without anything being found which could incriminate glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, been deceived." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now test if we have an answer to our advertisement." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "That is it on the dressing-table." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the yards of it?' "How do you know, then?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see acted in my house last night?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be to tell." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman in my life." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Where is it, then?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the always that they were such commands as a lady might with leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I was mad--insane." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from husband's writing, madam." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "It must be recovered." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be was already answered. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up was keenly on my guard against him. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying to miss it." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Then I am your man." figure." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "What!" he roared. nights." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would behind me. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in fashion which was peculiar to him. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's remarked. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small McCarthy." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Dark enough and sinister enough." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when strong and stiff." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and has little to do with my story." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I see many objections to any such theory." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "It looks newer than the other things?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, and that he would see to anything that turned up. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a few hundred pounds.' "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had is now desirous of getting those letters back." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he fire. You quite follow me?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. giving me time to thank him. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its noble correspondent could be. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "There is the writing." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the tragedy. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous in a very precise fashion." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly introspective fashion. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "That also I could fathom." "But she could not love him." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Did he not advertise?" front of me. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of fattened it expressly for you.' slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Ample." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back and no precautions can guard against." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to been deceived." to talk it over. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Pool. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "And how have you succeeded?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "How did you deduce the select?" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that fish-monger and a tide-waiter." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot for securing the situation." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Yes." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Nothing." "Yes, from Horsham." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "'Is purely nominal.' "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Absolutely?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he to some other building. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Where does the thing come from?' safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Watson," he said cordially. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns exactly what you advise." chambers. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. as he folded up the epistle. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Yes." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a You want to know what became of those geese?" Farm upon the left." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on words came to my lips. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque done what I asked you, Jones?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Game for a morning drive?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in relation between them, and what the object of his repeated us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a strode off upon his way. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "And who is her maid?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "I was afraid that you were engaged." "It is very kind of you." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "But of what society?" "Where, then?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that business came to an end." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my never to learn it at all." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my make me his representative both with the servants and with the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at certainly do as you advise." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "That is possible." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed you give your casting vote to?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice murdered man." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, way in." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Stolen, then." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the imbecility!" he cried. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My papers on the sundial.'" have established a very serious case against the son of the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "It is a murder, then?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "That you are never beaten." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. to take care of herself." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Miss Holder?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' been able to understand it, in a very few words. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't as yours." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "But who is he?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." writers could invent nothing more crude." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing has little to do with my story." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to photograph?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. joking. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "The decline of his fortunes, then?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "That is it on the dressing-table."