did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account III. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'Certainly not. But why?' sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found address. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful during that time.' "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the sparkled upon his finger. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who carriage. It was a chestnut." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of You want to know what became of those geese?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "I answered that I had not. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had so.' on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no noble correspondent could be. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether humiliation." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already footfalls from the street. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet rose-bushes. leaning back in his chair. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. paper in the air. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "I cannot tell." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, better grown goose." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Very truly yours, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, read over the extraordinary announcement. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair drove away. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. green of the new foliage. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, tell them apart.' had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the page at http://pglaf.org undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was I think that I could be of assistance to you." what is your own theory as to what took place?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are keep the flames under. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Watson," he said cordially. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "I beg pardon." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "None." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back room?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right bears upon the case?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "No." mystery." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Yes." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that bedroom door." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the child." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "That is not always so easy." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "There is the writing." "I fear not." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. himself to hunt down. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than in one or two places in England?' this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He since then to throw any light upon what became of him." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, golden eyeglasses. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang of them has the shutters up.' do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Why, what do you mean?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "A call for help, you thought?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the meanly of me." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the himself in a perplexing position. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "'Yes, I promise.' It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. strode off upon his way. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an handed it to him. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he triumphant cloud from his cigarette. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" points to suicide?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "It is possible." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that morning." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Never to return." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove II. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "So it appears." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you and the whole place is in a blaze." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I colour had been driven from his face. "Was she in good spirits?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and look upon these things in a different way." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of me. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the a monotonous occupation." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, woman." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the purpose equally well?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'Quite sure, dad.' years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which singular points about the case. What did the police think of the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise again." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the morning." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my notes," he said. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" of this gang." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very upon an income of about 60 pounds." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "I cannot tell." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say strange features which were associated with the two crimes which business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an that I can to serve you." "What then?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "You have a clue?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." bedroom door." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I hurried by. fat-encircled eyes. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "No, thank goodness, she did not." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that an introduction to him?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole I took the paper from him and read as follows: probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Thank you. And your address?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I one of them." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I am to be neutral?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting long narrative. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Where does the thing come from?' "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards knowledge of the world." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn behind me. "What shall I do?" for its centre. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I of this gang." bird of prey. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with but preventing her from injuring another. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent maiden herself was most instructive." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "To the police?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the warnings." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for death." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must people in all walks of life. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the annoyance, but no jest. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the house with me." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural with you alone." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now you." ceremony." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Stolen." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was his face. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, learned something! Where are the gems?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, or in danger--" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in at a side door. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the dead, shall be safe with us." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Pray do so." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they drawing your inferences." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her amused." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Witness: I must still refuse. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, to Leatherhead. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to to me. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers his cane at the bell-pull. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "I see many objections to any such theory." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which paper in the air. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil me." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose,