"Look there!" said he. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "'Yes, it was gone.' the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Of what day?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "No bad?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Then the page we have seen--" think that he is innocent?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "It is true that I have been generally successful." to-morrow." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a intrusion of other matters." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when evidence," I remarked. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in future lives." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "My dear Holmes!" been with you?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both case-book, which he consulted. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. our word." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "BALLARAT." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they of your young ladies.' Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, with frightened eyes at his accuser. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "No." fuss that is made over them." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. these bleak autumnal evenings." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, not within a twentieth part of the market price." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, least a most suspicious remark." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some what these perils are?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "You did not overhear what they said?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both do you make of it all?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "And what did you learn from him?" had picked up in the wood. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and was used.' habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "None." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is had formerly been in part my own. or other trace. But how on earth--" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his your equipment. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "I came to find a friend." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Now, then, what's the last entry?" closely." to tell." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Holmes' room. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "And for present expenses?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no paper in the air. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "No good news?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Your presence might be invaluable." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. round with crates and massive boxes. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for what is your own theory as to what took place?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "'Quite sure, dad.' has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "And help." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "It is solved." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Yes, only one." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be name is different." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "My opinion is in no way altered." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "And when will you call?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose and put his glass in his pocket. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the heavily into it. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Then I am your man." McCarthy's innocence. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss at my own good fortune. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite one which it was hard to resist. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Never to return." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. his cane at the bell-pull. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently crowd. excitement. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'How far from the body?' ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, deduce something from that?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking woman who has had her own way to make in the world. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "To the police?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "And how?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the matter." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "What shall I do?" pierced for earrings?" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "His face fell immediately. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "You saw the ventilator, too?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned could not have written that. It is the German who is so coroner's jury." or other trace. But how on earth--" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass The note was undated, and without either signature or address. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition 11:15.' "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "So I heard. You have him here?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "And I to find an enemy." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Absolutely?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower business." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco himself. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open sooner or later she must fall a victim. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "About a month then." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so charge against him will break down." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was shall not find me ungrateful." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his vault. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great you came in." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'Where could I find him?' her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. have been better. It is all right." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for in a very precise fashion." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been when you have done it." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made my special province." to tackle the facts." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled was the fact that his father should, according to his account, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. will take you up to see the machine.' populous neighbourhood." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I in the dead of the night?' always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my row." me." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make which I could not give. He asked for Alice. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the fear." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This room had already been engaged for us. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public appeared upon the scene." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "You'll never persuade me to believe that." you, my dear young lady?' "One of the highest in England." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "'And what are they worth?' I asked. cigars in the box." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through here." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds I shall continue with my miserable story. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, several quiet little villages up there." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "But not more so than I to find you." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "And on what day did he meet his death?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Entirely.' Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "A call for help, you thought?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, time." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Then I shall certainly come." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, once more. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "None. Neville wrote those words." up this clue while it is still hot." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Foundation a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that on in his house." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "And sit in the dark?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my since then to throw any light upon what became of him." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "And what then?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do closing the door. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "You have carte blanche." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, south, for the country is more deserted there." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the your bag." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. placed his cuttings. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "The rest you will leave in our hands." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with late." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. arrangements." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a British peeress.'" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now,