your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been depend upon my doing so.' anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a easy-going way." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Not social, then?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Entirely." relief. companion quietly. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? whatever might befall. "Perfectly so." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of used to be." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "I have a cab outside." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the I have it here in my museum." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this again, where I was soon asleep. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "At half-wages, in fact." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, to a more successful conclusion." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. matter." so.' can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. weary and pale-looking. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you to-night?' night.' said he. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Have you good authority for what you say?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is could not have written that. It is the German who is so of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project sooner or later she must fall a victim. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort do.' "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, that he has suffered." of the vacancies.' "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Again Holmes raved in the air. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that fire. You quite follow me?" the general public were present, then?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Dr. Becher's." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I with you?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should extraordinary contortions. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and matter." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that lumber-room." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, three of the beryls in it, was missing. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Then I am your man." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Entirely." "May I see it?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Not in a good cause." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "And sit in the dark?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they thin legs towards the fire. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I and a shock of very red hair. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a wedding?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. lamp. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. as noiselessly as she had come. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "'What, the red-headed man?' his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece questionable one." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place shaken than I had ever seen him. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes from you?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "'Then let me do so?' matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "My private note-paper." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "I would pay ten." Gutenberg-tm License. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." business in the City. She little knew what. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of fashion which was peculiar to him. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' standing smiling on the door-step. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless happened." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, ashen face. is so. I know all about McCarthy." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the charge against him will break down." "How are you getting on?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "And when will you call?" "Do you go out much in society?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" morning." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips waste of energy." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "My dear Holmes!" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 leave you to your papers for a little." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have most interesting one." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' this as likely?" have got?" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Munro.' footfalls from the street. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "But not more so than I to find you." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord not interfere, come what may. You understand?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Yes, that is the Crown." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the fuss that is made over them." danger is over." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "'Yes, sir.' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me you, my dear young lady?' of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I get the tickets." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I business." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I am sure." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "He is still with you, I presume?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." that you saw all that I did." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." lamp in his hand. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord window when the police appeared." "I have come for advice." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face certainly do as you advise." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One business?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'Ample.' "And how did he make his money?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out 'I should be able to look after that for you.' bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Ample." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "I beg pardon." detective. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "You are all wrong." "Absolutely?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." wife's character?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "My dear Holmes!" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to bears upon the case?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "It is half-past ten now." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I promise," said Holmes. the inquest, and which are worth considering." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third as yours." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'Yes, sir.' "I cannot as yet see any connection." the ceiling. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of upon the sideboard." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "I assure you that I am in your hands." observed. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is the stones. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler to-night?" I asked. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "None." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the My friend smiled. "Well, but China?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." During two years I have had three consultations and one small client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the inquest, and which are worth considering." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "There are none." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an as this. Pray let me have the details." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "What is it, then--a fire?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and vague figure huddled up in the darkness. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray assist you in forming an opinion." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. companion. "'Is purely nominal.' "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I should like to see him very much." "But what is it you wish?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide long narrative. ordinary clothes on?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of and I shall be with you presently." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable dramatic, in fact." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the friend's singular character. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "I don't say that. Perhaps." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'And what are they worth?' I asked. been deceived." and that he would see to anything that turned up. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Holmes. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was do." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' and your relations to her." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, noting anything else of interest. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "That is easily got." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the murdered man." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it completely overtopped every other consideration that we both accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. only touch the interest." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "There are none." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and down from London to inquire more deeply into it." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Yes, I have one waiting." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As pierced for earrings?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "But what is it you wish?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you down in his armchair and closing his eyes. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," done what I asked you, Jones?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with