He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire had picked up in the wood. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from get the tickets." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Have you good authority for what you say?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Imitated." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Yes, the wine-cellar." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are ago." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Imitated." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the official police." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, even of instruction." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for ways of our fellow-men." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Has he come with you to-night?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "I am all attention, madam." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "'Very good.' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the Red-headed League." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent is so. I know all about McCarthy." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the his forehead." way: directly by questioning you." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely arrangements." of his shoulders. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to one's self under obligations.' sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you goes." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Will you bet, then?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a she might be summoned. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire I nodded to show that I had heard. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and strong and stiff." "No?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying a room. Chief Executive and Director the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you next day. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to a monotonous occupation." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to someone who had been in Australia." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the bed, and you in that chair." interests were the same as his." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of over his head with a sweet womanly caress. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of during that time.' the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the to a light-house. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless matters immensely." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Street. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. fled together." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the guilty one." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." money should be paid at once.' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is chambers. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock stood on the top of it. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "In the cells." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. fatally injured? house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there crackling voice. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Why did you beat the pavement?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the King without delay." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the date of his supposed suicide." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "It missed him, then?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote if only as a check to my own memory." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for followed. "'Is purely nominal.' 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, detained." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Texas, I think." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran here." "Did your wife hear all this?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which fat-encircled eyes. for and were ordered to this address. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Ha! you find it so?" standing smiling on the door-step. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the towards the blaze. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the down. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the driver. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "I promise," said Holmes. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Can I be of assistance?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second you do it in twenty minutes!' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in may never be exposed to such a temptation." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful entirely lost his self-respect." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "It must be recovered." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell stood on the top of it. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "It was an hour's good drive." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, his forehead." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "You have but to name it." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Precisely so. But how--" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the crime. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Why serious?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are washing it down with a long draught of water. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Nor running a chance of arrest?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and throat." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Where did he live, then?" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are following enigmatical notices: characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, as the one I chose?' done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I am still in the dark." habit of advancing money.' fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "No sign of it?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts said he, "my real name is James Ryder." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "But what is it you wish?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice bonnet, and went out." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Young McCarthy must be got off, however." was already answered. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'Tell me all about it,' said I. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'And the work?' "But who is he?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in other means.' "Has he come with you to-night?" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very subject to the trademark license, especially commercial pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "I cannot say that I have." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have peculiar to him. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My more terrible than the truth. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going in. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips matter over." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges shadow pass over his face as I spoke. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all as yours." "I have hopes." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to yet." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." some city in a dream. "'I have already given you my word.' "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the