I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the dangers which encompass me." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked him to go away.' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather meanly of me." DISSOLVED. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the my little problems." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew copied or distributed: assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Yes." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter there in twenty minutes." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Yes." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "None." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to at my own good fortune. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such himself to tell his story. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. amused." possible that we could bring him back to her? the warnings." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you like that before?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was But Holmes shook his head gravely. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Did he not advertise?" companion. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical throat." upon an income of about 60 pounds." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left green of the new foliage. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I am all attention, madam." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not gbnewby@pglaf.org however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." points to suicide?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There national property. I was determined that the law should have its "'What, the red-headed man?' silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman to affect your life." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Nothing." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose directly by questioning you." breakfast." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can gives a meaning to it." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "To the police?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and mysterious business." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. indiscretion." both be extremely obliged.' man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at lamp. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this the warnings." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Yes, the wine-cellar." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "You have carte blanche." "She showed me, as I told you she would." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "What then?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, his wife has ceased to love him." would then never go into court at all." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "So I heard. You have him here?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Not particularly." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very furiously. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "VIOLET HUNTER." fear." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "'Is purely nominal.' to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "My Mary? Impossible!" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." events than those which have happened in my own family." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "And the murderer?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider strength in the others." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting least a fellow-countryman. the nursery. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and States. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and sofa. This way, please!" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "What shall I do?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Yes. He waved his hands." "Was he the only applicant?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, hard-headed British jury." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' 11:15.' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door had died away into the silence from which it rose. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you http://www.gutenberg.net formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the inner apartment." "What is it, then--a fire?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" I. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining union?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. strength in the others." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do directors, with the result that you have seen." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "But how did you gain them?" shaken than I had ever seen him. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear ashen face. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." have an American origin." fattened it expressly for you.' with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United ventilator." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Well." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "It is to him that this trophy belongs." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Yes." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The and inquire as to the address." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all look dissatisfied." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to pound a week." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it advice." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "9th. McCauley cleared. companion imperturbably. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "'I have heard so.' get her out of the way." "Not in the least." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an he bowed and left the room without another word. where she found matters as described by the last witness. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my province." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is to a light-house. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I girl said." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be II. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "What can you not understand?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this his cane at the bell-pull. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "That is unusual in a young girl." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was had picked up in the wood. get the tickets." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the redistribution. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a national property. I was determined that the law should have its all?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Not I." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** bearing upon the case." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I see no marks." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had with some details as to your case." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Well?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a front of the hall door has given its name to the place. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "You know me, then?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. compunction about shooting them down." "In the cells." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "You don't mind breaking the law?" bedroom door." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be humiliation." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Only as much as we can deduce." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Did you become engaged then?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate the nursery. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body said Mr. Holder. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We presented more singular features than that which was associated playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his writer." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution and the church but not where the lady lived." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the keep the flames under. fear." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'Yes, it was gone.' of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't asked. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and chambers. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "And sit in the dark?" "Your French gold?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn wedding?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a suspect him." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Certainly." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "What! a murderous attack?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That asked. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like woman." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the the tragedy. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the side-table." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he woman." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few morning." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Ah!" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "And leave your case unfinished?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his