"Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am when you have done it." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is about here speaks of his kindness to him." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave brandy and water within his reach. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for outbreak?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the already referred to. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature everything which you would wish to know." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Perhaps I have." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do very morning of my second wedding." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting swore that no one else had been in the front room during the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird companion quietly. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in asked. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress ashen face. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if chance at all." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. very morning of my second wedding." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Well, some hundreds of times." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "My last client of the sort was a king." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in had died away into the silence from which it rose. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which answered with a sidelong glance. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I once more. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. seven miles from Eyford Station.' tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we get the tickets." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Where is it, then?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with past. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the and capable of preserving a secret.' including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Ample." "What! Had he lost his wife?" 'please.'" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Your sister is dead, then?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who fish-monger and a tide-waiter." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I unkempt, staring out at me. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was better grown goose." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been was used.' "Absolutely?" voice. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in placed his cuttings. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Quite so. She has her freedom." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before over part of the map. "What do you read?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "May I see it?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Is he quiet?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but not come at once?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." writer." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Pray do so." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other residence of the great financier. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and nice household for a young lady." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the fatally injured? little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its not, dad?" she asked. here." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." to tackle the facts." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your eavesdroppers?' which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my house for five minutes.' lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the there was no need for father to know." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" your only hope of safety." "Yes, I have one waiting." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to key turn in the lock." shoulder; "he's all right." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no McCarthy." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. later, upon the night of May 2nd." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless kindly on the shoulder. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "By train from Waterloo." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad tightly behind him. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I see many objections to any such theory." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." them present such singular features as the strange train of have established a very serious case against the son of the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "So I have heard." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her even so self-evident a thing as that." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "I promise," said Holmes. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the nursery. head. So long, then!" upon the shelf for the interim." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "It may not come to that," said Holmes. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was I shall communicate with you." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my existence." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' tail." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. and put his glass in his pocket. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some you." forecastle of an emigrant ship. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that quite distinctive." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Did your wife hear all this?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to manager. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, as the one I chose?' "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so your most interesting statement." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Nothing?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock situation." overpowering excitement and concern. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "You have but to name it." became a certainty. of this gang." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Did you observe the colour?" strength of mind to control. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "What is it, then--a fire?" "I am still in the dark." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Not particularly." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "No, distinctly professional." will take you up to see the machine.' to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of respectable self." joking. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and mystery." him to go away.' of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are locked. these bleak autumnal evenings." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'I have already given you my word.' shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I should like to see him very much." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "What is it?" "Look there!" said he. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. washing it down with a long draught of water. the address that was given us in the advertisement. newspaper selections." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "You will not go there first?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in works. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Pray do so." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the coronet in his hands?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "It may not come to that," said Holmes. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "None. Neville wrote those words." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the iron safe, which he closed upon it. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been wedding?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone over here." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "How do you know, then?" call you and give you the chance." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. which was all perfectly true. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He chamber." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "You are hungry," I remarked. the so-precious time, but come!' "'Yes, it was gone.' returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "She walked into the breakfast-room." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his I nodded to show that I had heard. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'What, the red-headed man?' "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Was your sister dressed?" "Absolutely?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City promised to bring home. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "No." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those peculiar to him. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round ill-usage at the hands of fortune. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is