have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily some place of shelter and let the county police know what has shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I fear not." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both redistribution. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Breckinridge is his name." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six open." your own bird, so if you wish--" hurried away. "But your client--" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the driver. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "No." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old appeared upon the scene." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon ago." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I side. how narrow had been my escape. happened." "Certainly." entirely devoid of interest." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "But your client--" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I don't say that. Perhaps." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled that there was nothing in it, after all." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the out of this horrible affair." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, questioning and rather startled gaze. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a you understand?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two always that they were such commands as a lady might with "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. mystery may be cleared along those lines." have established a very serious case against the son of the entirely lost his self-respect." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "When did she vanish, then?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or is four-and-twenty." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Then I am your man." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, be there in time for your coming." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Yes." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot carpenter." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was orange pips. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a fear." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any problems help me to do so." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would sparkled upon his finger. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort tension within him. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six is acting for the best. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' disappearance of the bride.'" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. begun to whiten, even as mine has." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do congenial hunt. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as side. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my written. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Whose house is it?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her fire. You quite follow me?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some been." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to existence." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I which it had come upon my father." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that cost them two and thirty pounds." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "What will you say?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Doctor, of the paper and the date." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "I came to find a friend." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; whole matter to your consideration." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so triumphant cloud from his cigarette. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "But you would not advise me to refuse?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. the general public were present, then?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all of receipt of the work. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for be.' business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of could gather together that I was able to avert another public "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the stones. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I beg pardon." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the south-west, I see." "You forget that I know nothing about it." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'I have already given you my word.' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the from the brougham. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their entirely devoid of interest." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Yes, he did." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did behind me. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "I will not look." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Quite so. She has her freedom." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "I say that I have solved it." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Could he throw no light?" reach." "Come in!" said he. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held mysterious business." "Perhaps we may make them less so." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "I am in hopes that she does." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared and effective." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be is a common subject for conversation. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut gone. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She once more to my work. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional more terrible than the truth. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." bachelor.' fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin she used." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Pray let us have it, for all that." works. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is examine." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these gone. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, like gravel from a pit.' strong reason behind." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I said I. bachelor.' of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "No, I think that I'll take it." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. maiden herself was most instructive." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Eyford." there has been an enclosure here!" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook I am not easy in my mind about them." Literary Archive Foundation roused himself from his reverie. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, some terrible trap for her." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On me have 200 pounds?' With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for which it had come upon my father." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Clair, of Lee." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "And the cigar-holder?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Yes." "None." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "That is possible." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Why, it's a dummy," said he. infinite languor in his face. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "It is very clear." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, The King stared at him in amazement. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "No, finished." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Then the page we have seen--" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a pressing in one house as in another. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have me have 200 pounds?' it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that skylight. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "From his hat?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would enough to aid us in our search." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Doctor, of the paper and the date." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him it with his own hands." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is strode off upon his way. "Have you her photograph?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "'Is purely nominal.' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. three of the beryls in it, was missing. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so take the flies, but not before." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up good for you to do.' that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always infinite languor in his face. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is important." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which cigars in their mouths. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed then?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the salesman. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was it with his own hands." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "He said too much." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "No, I had a dozen." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "I have come for advice." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." infinite languor in his face. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, The events in question occurred in the early days of my dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," evidence," I remarked. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'"