"And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, open." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I your bag." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Cross for the Continent." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing is so. I know all about McCarthy." think that any burglar could have done. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never States. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'Certainly not.' sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "We were both in the photograph." "Witness: It was. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who off." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "There is the writing." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, matters immensely." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his you came in." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Certainly." mystery!" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. touch that coronet?' elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "What shall I do?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I round and wave him away like that.' "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. DAMAGE. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the there is a decided draught." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in bell. Holmes whistled. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "In heaven's name, what for?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: key turn in the lock." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been will take you up to see the machine.' room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as whether it answered to the description of any of their possible that we could bring him back to her? more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "So I have heard." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left to have that photograph." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the station." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place thin legs towards the fire. What do you deduce from it?" "A call for help, you thought?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." families. Now for the facts. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Pray be precise as to details," said he. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have night.' said he. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? morning." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached three of the beryls in it, was missing. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me wedding?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing gone before you can get him to hospital." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the I took the paper from him and read as follows: fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'Oh, no.' Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Of what day?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged comes from the middle window." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Yes, certainly." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Yes." second window is the one that I jumped from." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of 'I should be able to look after that for you.' My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "No more words. Get out!" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found may have an influence upon European history." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "What can it mean?" I gasped. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been the address that was given us in the advertisement. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a lumber-room." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Entirely." persecution?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "And what did you learn from him?" "But she will refuse." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "No." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his detained." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had observed. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has The summons was a brief and urgent one. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the matter?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the armchair which I pushed forward for him. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "One horse?" interjected Holmes. foresight and the moral retrogression?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. His name is Francis Prosper." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one I took the paper from him and read as follows: their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign breakfast." "And it is--" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious washing it down with a long draught of water. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "'Why that?' I asks. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the loss of it. http://gutenberg.net/license). pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind fat-encircled eyes. said he at last. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "A greater distance to travel." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas himself in a perplexing position. in. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "10th. John Swain cleared. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the pound a week." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "It missed him, then?" the stones. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "In answer to an advertisement." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "It was." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my been." "Which are?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Surrey." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on father's young wife. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman hurried by. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a said I. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us hurried away. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "What will you do, then?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the man. I know him from the photograph." your own bird, so if you wish--" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Because he was handy and would come cheap." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "'What do you call purely nominal?' anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the coroner come to?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should strong reason behind." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and sake, don't!" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets him. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I on re-entering her father's house?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather investigation." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little mysterious end." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, more solid." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "How do you know, then?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the way in." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, problems help me to do so." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We as he folded up the epistle. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" of campaign. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or weapon." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of new duties?' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I excitement. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with ran thus: "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. you came in." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "You horrify me." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who with frightened eyes at his accuser. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a a good hundred miles off by now." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales what I may call a really hard day's work." "The gentleman I describe." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was and capable of preserving a secret.' gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know have had none more fantastic than this." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against shag which I had seen upon the previous night. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing felt the room to be a little close.' Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a begin with, and I had not got mine yet." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of License. You must require such a user to return or story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." His smile broadened. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "From his hat?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California keep the flames under. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "To an English lawyer named Norton."