End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Henry Baker is a member." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Where, indeed?" despaired of." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is and the church but not where the lady lived." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently written, and locked the door of the office after me. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check more solid." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up business." matter over." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Perfectly so." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I his cane at the bell-pull. wedding?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but It was close upon four before the door opened, and a think you a quite exceptional woman." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a one else, I think." was lame." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "You don't mind breaking the law?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. becomes even more simple." back into the street. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "So it appears." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the Friday. Was it to be in church?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I fact, we may call it conclusive." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, know all about it," he snarled. "No, I think that I'll take it." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Because he was handy and would come cheap." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning the driver. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the matter?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which him to be an active member of the medical profession." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His in the hope of finding them." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, made his money." "I have solved it." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "I have a cab outside." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to of his shoulders. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "And you don't know his address?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of was a loud and authoritative tap. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always to tackle the facts." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "When did she vanish, then?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'Certainly,' I answered. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'And what salary do you ask?' "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I promise," said Holmes. "Nothing." more terrible than the truth. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "He said too much." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "We were both in the photograph." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. nights." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to discontent upon his features. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads your sleep?' chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do conceal it?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to straighten it?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were just called myself is not exactly my own." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too definite end. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "It is no ordinary one." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." with you?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the little opening for the ventilator is." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "The knees of his trousers." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is at home. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "'I have already given you my word.' fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Yes, only one." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'Oh, no.' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "I think that I had better go, Holmes." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As with the outside air!" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the he. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Dark enough and sinister enough." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day and the church but not where the lady lived." danger is over." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "And that is--" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Where, then?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Do you go out much in society?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "No, finished." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "No sign of it?" "And who is her maid?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his there!' glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "From his hat?" http://gutenberg.net/license). served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Where is it, then?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his once more. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it nonsense.' "No, thank goodness, she did not." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Of what day?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Then I can wait in the next room." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may instincts rose up against that laugh. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "No." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her companion. I leave." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I late!' the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable points to suicide?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, voice, changing her seat as requested. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called meant." "In what way?" asked Holmes. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the heavily into it. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is over here." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler away into the river." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, was a lad." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "One of his hands." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but heavily into it. letters?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that some water from a caraffe. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to mysterious business." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me papers must be those that are destroyed.' "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life the morning and make my own way in the world.' do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Miss Holder?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in client, rising. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way appeal." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. may never be exposed to such a temptation." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Was she in good spirits?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, indiscretion." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "You don't mind breaking the law?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will The summons was a brief and urgent one. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down late!' "Dark enough and sinister enough." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on presented more singular features than that which was associated round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "The knees of his trousers." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Certainly." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "I should like to see him very much." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own excitement. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, remarked. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a already referred to. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "The gentleman I describe." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "But the mystery?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Game for a morning drive?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Holmes' face clouded over. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." telegram would bring me down to your help." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "The doctor?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the station." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. case-book, which he consulted. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," a room. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden nice household for a young lady." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "He said that you could solve anything." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped upon an income of about 60 pounds." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came he died? "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. annoyance, but no jest. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the general public were present, then?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was friend's singular character. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "What are they?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down should be so warm over such a trifle." behind me. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide one or two very singular points about this room. For example, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we what do you think they found in the pockets?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an empty. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his hereditary King of Bohemia." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Married! When?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Absolutely none." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was