"IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with and glanced through. "'Yes, sir.' sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Gutenberg-tm License. "I am all attention, madam." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, certainly not very gracious." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Stoke Moran." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's and looked back. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "I say it is." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "How did you deduce the select?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. reach." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Really! You surprise me." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." me have 200 pounds?' and a shock of very red hair. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Yes, the wine-cellar." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "But your client--" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "What will you say?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the me where it went to?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent such attractions and accomplishments?' coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Has he come with you to-night?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my outbreak?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the so-precious time, but come!' "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "What have you to say now?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to way in." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Oh, fresh and glossy." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The business in the City. She little knew what. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross with you alone." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her that he has suffered." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of galvanised. "What is it, then--a fire?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in do." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, a good hundred miles off by now." "Not in a good cause." soul! here is her carriage at the door." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like asked. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, at my remark. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but overpowering excitement and concern. "And help." and your relations to her." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I fattened it expressly for you.' points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with husband's writing, madam." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an of it with the greatest attention. careless servant girl?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of I am not easy in my mind about them." tied." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have I have it here in my museum." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the to-night?' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "It surprised me." "I see no marks." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "You have but to name it." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and inquire as to the address." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "One?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of papers must be those that are destroyed.' "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. father's young wife. Holmes' thin, eager face. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been is a common subject for conversation. "The doctor?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss works. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural were wasted." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing than to us. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "No, but the enclosure is." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it points to suicide?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "What have you to say now?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out his eyes and forehead. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "If I can be of use." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "We have tried and failed." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "We must have a cab." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." people in all walks of life. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Did you become engaged then?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Nothing?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four national property. I was determined that the law should have its pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "BALLARAT." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, point in the dark hollow of his hand. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up time." him, that man would not have given me such complete information about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then suspect him." any little problem which you may submit to me." hour?' new duties?' London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is in him." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Just look it up, then." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Indeed! Whose, then?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I come either from the window or the door. My attention was rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery garden below. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I such attractions and accomplishments?' "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "His face fell immediately. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Watson," he said cordially. as this. Pray let me have the details." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I of a light. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I and looked back. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the night.' "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I over with notes and figures. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "What! You do not mean bodies?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." so.' deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public what these perils are?" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to go from here to the Strand." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done here and I will read it to you: glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was lamp in his hand. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "The landlord of the Alpha." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Who was the criminal, then?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. go from here to the Strand." Mrs. Toller serenely. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible despaired of." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "It goes to the housekeeper's room." affection." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn the matter." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! mystery!" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this is," said he presently: was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it individual and becomes the badge of a society." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies once more on the important position which you have been fortunate again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, clang of the bell. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Indeed! Whose, then?" his grey eyes. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "You horrify me." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were maid will bring up your coffee." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. sufficient punishment." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Come in!" said he. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three this man was intellectual?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "A client, then?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold throat." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. hereditary King of Bohemia." back alive. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the nursery. has little to do with my story." as yours." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "I cannot say that I have." light and attacked it." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Count Von Kramm." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, the house with me." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. one else, I think." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, locked." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, point in the dark hollow of his hand. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "No." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "I have a cab outside." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which neither fascinating nor artistic." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Holmes." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand was lame." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" introspective fashion. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the Assizes." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was all-comprehensive glances. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me made his money." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the But Holmes shook his head gravely. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the best of training." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of once more on the important position which you have been fortunate without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Edgeware Road. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew point our research must commence, and we will begin it by 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not and prosperity to your house. Good-night." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about allusion to a rat. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should all that?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my help us in this matter." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "By train from Waterloo." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us observed. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a a good hundred miles off by now." again." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Yesterday." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the nursery. "Game for a morning drive?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Stolen." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not