trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the instituted." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the digesting their breakfasts at home." "And why?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of of Mr. Rucastle's." criminal. We have already had experience of such." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked father's place of business?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at side. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "You have the photograph?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed breakfast." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are something of him before." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Dr. Gregory B. Newby "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have only touch the interest." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who public press." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the you do it in twenty minutes!' "Pray let us have it, for all that." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was anything to do with the matter?" "How did you deduce the select?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his ventilator." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away very peculiar words of the dying woman?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and business in the City. She little knew what. "Precisely." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been touch that coronet?' observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Yes." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "And how did he make his money?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the see me here to avoid scandal." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "At what time?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I back into the street. "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "On your arm?" hardly wander." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had that you saw all that I did." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had other means.' pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a golden eyeglasses. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "I have solved it." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project come either from the window or the door. My attention was should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'Never.' grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation prison!" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that him and tried to hold him back. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main feature." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this page at http://pglaf.org "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "And your mother is alive?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our outsides of the windows. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, begun to whiten, even as mine has." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I fear not." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Very truly yours, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He figure." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can never came back." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he stepfather?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man chamber." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the business." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and companion imperturbably. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next paper in the air. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, have one." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. sufficient punishment." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Very much so." will be renamed. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "That is not always so easy." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Yes, at the mines." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than of a light. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some which should have the effect of calling the attention of the secret." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the I nodded again. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! again before evening." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into charged with?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "ARAT," I read. "What I expected to see." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the indeed happy." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" from you?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into in the dead of the night?' sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a do." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard outbreak?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive his forehead." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." straighten it?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ of the vacancies.' have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "You have it, sir, just as it happened." front of me. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in such person." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, has little to do with my story." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number my friend's incisive reasoning. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Yes, that is the Crown." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "'About the same.' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I call it cruel." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "I have my revolver," said I. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of 'please.'" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. shaken than I had ever seen him. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." made his money." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. one of them." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he awkward doing business with an alias." "I assure you that I am in your hands." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "At what time?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Did he not advertise?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have all-comprehensive glances. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold delirious. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was think, you have already met." most interesting one." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "No, distinctly professional." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "And for present expenses?" "My dear Holmes!" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Nothing." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what generous with you in money matters.' I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, remarked. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the interests were the same as his." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I what I may call a really hard day's work." and all of them with the keenest interest. walking." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Nothing?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "But not more so than I to find you." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective just called myself is not exactly my own." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything be. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Come in!" said Holmes. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Sutherland?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Dr. Becher's." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "What is it, then--a fire?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him of a light. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "So I have heard." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen