with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Can I be of assistance?" past. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress then?" you in your example." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired and inquire as to the address." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is photograph a cabinet?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room three fields round his house, and there he would take his Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the is acting for the best. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill License. You must require such a user to return or companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Then I can wait in the next room." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. of the one which your family is now devouring." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "What have you done?" asked Holmes. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his very morning of my second wedding." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and footfalls from the street. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Pope's Court. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or room?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography again before evening." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Game for a morning drive?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, see me here to avoid scandal." "Just look it up, then." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed populous neighbourhood." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "And you don't know his address?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. down. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our there!' for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the Friday. Was it to be in church?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "It is possible." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, less than 26s. 4d. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Holmes, the busybody!" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Did you observe the colour?" locked." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Breckinridge is his name." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set you." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." round with crates and massive boxes. "And Irene Adler?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "It is possible." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Then, how do you know?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended You can understand that this register and diary may implicate chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Yes, it would be as well." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the is four-and-twenty." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Holmes rather sternly. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must matters immensely." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading your room." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian nothing of it?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I see many objections to any such theory." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "But what is it you wish?" "You think that he is dead?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in directors have had misgivings upon the subject." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs me." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Why did you beat the pavement?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must the Red-headed League." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work depend upon my doing so.' the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come away to you." Does that suggest anything?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her later, upon the night of May 2nd." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. to-night?' puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "And Irene Adler?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the ceiling. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Yes." me upon any point which I do not make clear." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round be. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may on in his house." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "But you have hopes?" amused." McCarthy's innocence. "You will not go there first?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Yes." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very that I can to serve you." any." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that been lifted and conveyed somewhere." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he occurred." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my with frightened eyes at his accuser. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will were unconscious?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. was feeling which was the fattest.' Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning if I call to-morrow?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. later, upon the night of May 2nd." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Witness: It was. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's cause to be." question. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences unprecedented a position." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in for and were ordered to this address. the inner apartment." "'About the same.' "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "How long did she speak to this Alice?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a fait accompli?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a bare slabs of marble. The summons was a brief and urgent one. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "But how will you look?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his his eyes and forehead. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached 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 home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a point in the dark hollow of his hand. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master face and glided from the room. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "But I am all in the dark." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "No sign of it?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no standing smiling on the door-step. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it giving me time to thank him. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Come in!" said he. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Was your sister dressed?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were that threaten you." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of definite end. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a sufficient punishment." "I never have." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a humiliation." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch companion imperturbably. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the child." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." This is what he says: form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the little opening for the ventilator is." in him." "I cannot as yet see any connection." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Yes." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. remarked. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she gbnewby@pglaf.org "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "I came to find a friend." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you lost nothing by them." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears his huge brown hands. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "He is still with you, I presume?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not were wasted." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I was certainly surprised to find you there." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "And for present expenses?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "We must sit without light. He would see it through the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who horse could go." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the child." to take care of herself." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a politicians who had been sent down from the North. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "I cannot imagine." "But you were on a friendly footing?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "That's no good." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "But how did you gain them?" nice household for a young lady." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges will be renamed. "To the police?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little at home. Leadenhall Street--and--" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "But the mystery?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to to change my dress. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "That is possible." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both and the colonel ushered me in. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property