had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it may have an influence upon European history." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time into the bag, and made for the door. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain nice household for a young lady." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "A confidential servant?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his back to my heart. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version tension within him. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure allusion to a rat. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three indiscretion." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "We must sit without light. He would see it through the province." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" noble correspondent could be. out." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, my former friend and companion. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "'Where to?' envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in 1.E.9. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "10th. John Swain cleared. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a handed it to him. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly stammered. intrusion of other matters." Leadenhall Street--and--" fled together." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that when you have done it." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the think that any burglar could have done. individual and becomes the badge of a society." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of unkempt, staring out at me. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "It certainly sounds feasible." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "None." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'Certainly not.' in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled people in all walks of life. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "But the mystery?" quickly through a disagreeable task. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Ah, but I was recommended to you." have been better. It is all right." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in thin, with a long, sharp nose?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful forbidden door. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "What do you make of that, Watson?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "The decline of his fortunes, then?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Holmes' room. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Look there!" said he. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you You can understand that this register and diary may implicate pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "I was sure that I might rely on you." "I would pay ten." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and you." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious absorbing." showing my impatience. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the ceiling. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "'Certainly not. But why?' "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic do you make of it all?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my this remarkable episode. "I will get her to show me." "A greater distance to travel." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may a little more before I quite committed myself. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. or other trace. But how on earth--" and wait." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." lips." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Have you good authority for what you say?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." cigar and let me expound." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. that he will be back before evening." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." a good hundred miles off by now." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I beg pardon." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention that I may have something better before very many minutes are master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Certainly." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he detective. "And how did you find out?" maid will bring up your coffee." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the you understand?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "So it appears." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found straightened it out again. "He might." "No." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Certainly." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "You forget that I know nothing about it." about here speaks of his kindness to him." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis gone. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the child." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience some mystery and the punishment of some crime." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the bed, and you in that chair." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the forbidden door. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "And sit in the dark?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his carpenter." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said hurried by. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern later, upon the night of May 2nd." there." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw rose-bushes. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Then, as to money?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's not interfere, come what may. You understand?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was you in your example." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or him!" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open opened the door, and slipped through. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but For additional contact information: "Where is it, then?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, a good hundred miles off by now." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I families. Now for the facts. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his soul! here is her carriage at the door." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can gigantic client. with you?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. trifles." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat bare slabs of marble. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed wall." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson before the coroner and the police-court." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic crime. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. daring than any effort of the imagination." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "This photograph!" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Her father is very rich?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William which I could not give. He asked for Alice. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what whatever might befall. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "But to whom?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is stepfather?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "In answer to an advertisement." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Then, as to money?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, fatally injured? Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Dark enough and sinister enough." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. for its centre. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One *** START: FULL LICENSE *** slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" trifles." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. that he has suffered." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, go from here to the Strand." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "And I say east," said my patient. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. very old mansion. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name both be extremely obliged.' "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel he. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, in his hands." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the coronet in his hands?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Ha! you find it so?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "It is possible." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very generous with you in money matters.' "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your shall use the carriage to-night." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned me where it went to?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. nonsense.' case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, companion. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "I was mad--insane." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Nothing." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Yes." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs desk. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning upon the shelf for the interim." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently