"God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Cross for the Continent." particular state visit http://pglaf.org I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately chance." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "But not more so than I to find you." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "No?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "I am armed." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need 'I should be able to look after that for you.' maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in crime." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, is a common subject for conversation. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me What do you deduce from it?" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, said he. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. of the way of danger. his huge brown hands. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, may have an influence upon European history." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "About a month then." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and could go. be. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from spare." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, of Mr. Rucastle's." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "And it is--" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the station." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a McCarthy." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "It came here." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the Assizes." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Was the window open?" depend upon your compliance." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled already been minutely examined." "I will do it." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said outbreak?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought cost them two and thirty pounds." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Then what has happened to him?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'You cannot say what it was?' silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I lost his Christmas dinner." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither written, and locked the door of the office after me. occupations.' cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle better grown goose." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat cup of tea. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for business came to an end." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "'Very good.' hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my call it cruel." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his allusion to a rat. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Where, indeed?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, the roots. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a me." and inquire as to the address." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is it? Did I buy the geese off you?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As strong and stiff." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "I will get her to show me." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am following enigmatical notices: hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and But Holmes shook his head gravely. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich been." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was outside." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Your French gold?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the What do you deduce from it?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" whole matter to your consideration." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of chill to my heart. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to success. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done page at http://pglaf.org "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it horse could go." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "And how have you succeeded?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across dates and names. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that had formerly been in part my own. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." dear old homesteads?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "But how?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone fishes. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do now. It seems that there had been some informality about their man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet me have 200 pounds?' the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "What! a murderous attack?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he through." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of directors, with the result that you have seen." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Game for a morning drive?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Holmes' face clouded over. "'And the work?' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for strong and stiff." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to My friend smiled. always that they were such commands as a lady might with finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I 1.F. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Now, then, what's the last entry?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "By no means." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "You horrify me." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. attention." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a before the coroner and the police-court." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Dirty?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "He said too much." stalked out of the room. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had charge against him will break down." "I will get her to show me." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." disappearance of the bride.'" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "And why?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Yes." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical she to prove their authenticity?" memory. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "No." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped once more on the important position which you have been fortunate found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we she has been waylaid. There has been no result." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save green of the new foliage. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have keep the flames under. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up more terrible than the truth. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel I nodded again. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "At the wedding breakfast." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our records." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises prepare for the new role I have to play." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Pope's Court, Fleet Street." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying with her." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Doctor, of the paper and the date." "But how will you look?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, it were putty." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'Ten to two.' see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I cannot imagine." dates and names. room?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." power." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Precisely." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps tapping his fingers upon the table. My friend smiled. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out I nodded to show that I had heard. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, hopeless attempt at recovering them." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have of Mr. Rucastle's." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Very well, sir. And this stone?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "You horrify me!" little adventures." "You will not go there first?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "One of his hands." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change there were so many in the whole country as were brought together husband's writing, madam." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "They are typewritten," I remarked. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a have not had my rubber." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Holmes' room. "Yes, certainly." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. tension within him. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "But what harm can there be in that?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "He said too much." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a it." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the least a most suspicious remark." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and is worth.' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." will be renamed. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but head. So long, then!" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Leave Paddington by the 11:15." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "He might." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of