evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the outside. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault hour." Holmes rather sternly. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Certainly." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "It surprised me." "In which, sir?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very she has been waylaid. There has been no result." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "She told me to ask you." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "'Then let me do so?' never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "We were both in the photograph." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "And Miss Sutherland?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible would then never go into court at all." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "You don't mind breaking the law?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is particular state visit http://pglaf.org whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "But his left-handedness." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I main points of my analysis." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "'Where to?' "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's you." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I that you can jump it.' You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "To an end?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. mysterious business." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De have I gained?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Nothing." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "I would pay ten." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, you want, then?' Pool. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "I should wish to." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. followed. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "The decline of his fortunes, then?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to I shall continue with my miserable story. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in not as remarkable as your advertisement." "'What do you call purely nominal?' next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Mary, has deserted me." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the some water from a caraffe. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I was lame." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To ashen face. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Whose house is it?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner get the tickets." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "I have hopes." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have hair?' position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "His face fell immediately. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "What!" he roared. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long some terrible trap for her." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, that I may have something better before very many minutes are Watson," he said cordially. "Perhaps we may make them less so." during that time.' sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand married her." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it feature." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Yes, it was twisted." "And I." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring three of the beryls in it, was missing. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "And your mother is alive?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "'There is a drive, then?' "And why?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." instincts rose up against that laugh. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a there." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "A thing like a cleaver," said he. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles there was no need for father to know." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Then the page we have seen--" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that again on its way. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a made his money." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Who was the criminal, then?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power papers diligently of late, have you not?" "I promise," said Holmes. galvanised. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in developed." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'As governess?' "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very and it need not interfere very much with one's other "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon straighten it?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "What then?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the business came to an end." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "You have the photograph?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that developed." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "And why?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." interests were the same as his." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Yes." "And sit in the dark?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Certainly." "Then what has happened to him?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the armchair which I pushed forward for him. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "My stepfather's business papers." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with was used.' "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post III. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I was afraid that you were engaged." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted as he remarks, very much against the son." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere had died away into the silence from which it rose. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE happened." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate that threaten you." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the best detective that ever lived. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The were wasted." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "I fear not." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name felt?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "'It is locked up,' I answered. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the http://gutenberg.net/license). "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others the coronet in his hand?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I other lovers by making love himself." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and made his money." "Was he the only applicant?" lamp. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" your most interesting statement." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round tightly behind him. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his even of instruction." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an on in his house." stalked out of the room. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some woven round him. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'And the work?' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "How about poison?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we chance at all." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an writers could invent nothing more crude." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the desk. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into 1.F. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless electronic works transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Entirely." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Very much so." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Witness: Nothing definite. "When did it break out?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you be best to do. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to upon a handsome competence. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "'Ample.' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is rooms." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you said he. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' that the gas is not laid on in his house?" would apply.' gone. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Very well, sir. And this stone?" get the tickets." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, of this gang." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for upon the sideboard." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy least a most suspicious remark." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the nursery. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Always." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I rat could hardly pass through." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more fire. You quite follow me?" Holmes' thin, eager face. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was yet." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or and laid it on the table. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the true."