"To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was I. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "What of the rat, then?" "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite once more for Briony Lodge. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very you." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Nothing." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some What do you deduce from it?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped good-night and bustled off upon her way. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, papers on the sundial.'" "You saw the ventilator, too?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your vanished into the darkness. "My photograph." light and attacked it." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." know that the truth is known." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'Very good.' that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there which it had come upon my father." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Did your wife hear all this?" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "By no means." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to it. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope redistribution. bird of prey. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a writers could invent nothing more crude." and looked back. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm which I could not give. He asked for Alice. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "But it has twice been burgled." have I gained?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow obstinate." could go. late!' and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "It is possible." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close followed. know what is wrong with it.' said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "But of what society?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle main points of my analysis." nothing of it?" as the one I chose?' public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Well, but China?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one along the entire front of the house, with three long windows death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he at home. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you made him keep the appointment." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "It looks newer than the other things?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you which was all perfectly true. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading results." deduce something from that?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, you give your casting vote to?" Pool. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "You saw the ventilator, too?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to flock.' night.' said he. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name bled considerably." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, in the port of London." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, as he remarks, very much against the son." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. cigars in their mouths. particular state visit http://pglaf.org "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the King without delay." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "My dear Holmes!" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "The rest you will leave in our hands." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, looking up at the numbers of the houses." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But been able to understand it, in a very few words. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in galvanised. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so photograph a cabinet?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his it. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home strange features which were associated with the two crimes which License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this so far?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have John Swain, of St. Augustine. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Yes. He waved his hands." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said envelope. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Why, what do you mean?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, begun to whiten, even as mine has." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "It came here." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "By no means." "And the murderer?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who that, and I came down." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "And now?" He raised his hand. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Who was the criminal, then?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "But you have hopes?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp completely overtopped every other consideration that we both arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Well, but China?" in this note: more terrible than the truth. the stones. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first my room." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction little adventures." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. she might be summoned. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared an introduction to him?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Nothing." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "No." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns that I can to serve you." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Very much so." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "The gentleman I describe." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "In answer to an advertisement." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. my secret was safe in his possession. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret page at http://pglaf.org away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "There are none." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. rose-bushes. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an weigh very heavily upon my conscience." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the weary and pale-looking. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and looked back. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the rose-bushes. may never be exposed to such a temptation." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout help us in this matter." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "What, then, did Peterson do?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "At the wedding breakfast." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all License. You must require such a user to return or an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Game for a morning drive?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, guilty parties." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Precisely." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all the inquest, and which are worth considering." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has spare." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "No, I had a dozen." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of was feeling which was the fattest.' carpenter." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' key turn in the lock." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "And you can do nothing until then?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said I have it here in my museum." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'I shall certainly be there.' creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search investigation." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf to that open window." "I cannot think." the so-precious time, but come!' "Did you observe the colour?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the window, rose as we entered. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "And from a noble client?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and may never be exposed to such a temptation." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "But to whom?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "No, but the enclosure is." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass sneer upon his pale face. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Holmes' face clouded over. "I should wish to." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest It may be so in this case, also." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "By all means." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "It is very kind of you." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and business matters.' however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could said Mr. Holder. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid some mystery and the punishment of some crime." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Pray let us have it, for all that." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'Where to?' promised to bring home. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their had a long day." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." grasp, he hurried from the room. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she page at http://pglaf.org go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself."