man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the roots. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "'How far from the body?' your most interesting statement." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" you." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Where, indeed?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' to where he stood hid behind the curtain. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property voice. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" her also." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we light and attacked it." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "How do you know, then?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, some city in a dream. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left photograph a cabinet?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the him to go away.' "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an father's young wife. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to when your master had gone out." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I cannot tell." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is more terrible than the truth. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the coronet at all injured?" very morning of my second wedding." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City Miss Holder?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." begun to whiten, even as mine has." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Certainly." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was into the bag, and made for the door. "A call for help, you thought?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the night.' where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the awaited us upon the table. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until sufficient punishment." villagers almost as much as their master. "What!" he roared. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "There are none." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. one's self under obligations.' returned to France?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed roused himself from his reverie. to talk it over. never came back." families. Now for the facts. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." what do you think they found in the pockets?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and hardly wander." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips bell. Holmes whistled. "What do you make of that, Watson?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so husband's writing, madam." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This secret." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" open." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Nothing." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are a few minutes he said that it would be all right. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington province." "'Yes, I promise.' "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is room had already been engaged for us. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the crackling voice. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "'Which dealer's?' "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Then, how do you know?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out hand, madam?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered matter over." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped and glanced through. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that point our research must commence, and we will begin it by once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the side-table." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than flock.' right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and prison!" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is fishes. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "He said that you could solve anything." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with way in." cheerful." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT a suggestive one." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing affection." bears upon the case?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, you for a few hours?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "It was." official police." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my I. "Where, then, is my wife?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I see no marks." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired mystery." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil from the brougham. "So I heard. You have him here?" "But to whom?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Not in the least." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of trying to your nerves." "Witness: It was. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but presume?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of considering the formidable letters which were received by himself (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "One of his hands." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Nothing?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders undoubtedly my uncle's." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation papers." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "She walked into the breakfast-room." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "The Coroner: What do you mean? "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Nothing?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. and effective." "Indeed! Whose, then?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent money should be paid at once.' having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Not yet." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master as he folded up the epistle. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." you want, then?' Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which one which it was hard to resist. believe that I should never have any practice at all. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, key turn in the lock." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of seven miles from Eyford Station.' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the little adventures." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I and glanced through. business at Coburg Square is serious." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a in the hope of finding them." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes prove to be little relation between the different incidents of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his prison!" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. writing, and yet I know it well." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Did you observe the colour?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will weapon." you, my dear young lady?' to me. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the dangers which encompass me." into the room. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, breakfast?" back to my heart. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "We must have a cab." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" on in his house." bare slabs of marble. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, golden eyeglasses. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases following enigmatical notices: father's young wife. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want question," said Holmes, smiling. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at a good hundred miles off by now." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles this as likely?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about fait accompli?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature became a certainty. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and capable of preserving a secret.' importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were knowledge of the world." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the coronet in his hands?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Why serious?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now of a light. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera compunction about shooting them down." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Not in the least." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' past. money should be paid at once.' shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "At what time?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "And how?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." pressing in one house as in another. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative and all of them with the keenest interest. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Perfectly so."