voice. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though distance from the station, and there we found the young lady with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to bare slabs of marble. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the States. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, points to suicide?" when your master had gone out." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch detective. we went to search for him, face downward in a little the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an I leave." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried suddenly upon us." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "He slept on the premises." his cane at the bell-pull. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you cup of tea. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Nothing." the warnings." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he and glanced through. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Precisely." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple conceal it?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering key turn in the lock." miles off. such person." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "There are none." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the becomes even more simple." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Never." think, you have already met." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" out." examine." that he has suffered." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "There is the writing." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "I guessed as much." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "'Why that?' I asks. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an in the hope of finding them." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own my special province." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. trifles." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "No, distinctly professional." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was have I gained?" to that open window." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, with frightened eyes at his accuser. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "A call for help, you thought?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. it." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. key turn in the lock." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our them, and came down just as you departed. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the morning and make my own way in the world.' impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The I shall communicate with you." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I to-night?" I asked. I. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "To the police?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." awaited us upon the table. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards that he will be back before evening." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say this poor creature." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who rose-bushes. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no lumber-room." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback security.' this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "The King of Scandinavia." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is at my remark. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, there." a good hundred miles off by now." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns looking up at the numbers of the houses." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "But we can't all be." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. his knees, staring into the fire. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Did you observe the colour?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Have you good authority for what you say?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in asked. legal crime." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we occurred." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which been deceived." "It is very clear." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Who was the criminal, then?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "At the wedding breakfast." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Pope's Court. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a like gravel from a pit.' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "We were both in the photograph." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the me." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to you found me to-night--and running through the front room she showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this imbecility!" he cried. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens one which it was hard to resist. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, indiscretion." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "By all means." neither fascinating nor artistic." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that back alive. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke The King stared at him in amazement. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of him to be an active member of the medical profession." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get call for it in person on Monday morning.' "And you don't know his address?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Do you go out much in society?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the bell. Holmes whistled. the address that was given us in the advertisement. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope then?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two will not take me long to tell. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we James Windibank. Voilà tout!" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, I think that I could be of assistance to you." meant it for the best. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Witness: It was. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the driver. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in mysterious end." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "That's no good." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little directors, with the result that you have seen." "She told me to ask you." "No, I am descending." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "How did he come?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret forecastle of an emigrant ship. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Dr. Becher's." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had them present such singular features as the strange train of his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "That you are never beaten." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" asked with his eyes open. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as sentimental considerations in the background which would induce footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in chance." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Yes." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "I say that I have solved it." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little it. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs brandy and water within his reach. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be undoubtedly my uncle's." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see thin legs towards the fire. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at prison!" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "To ruin me." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are developed." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it relief. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Holmes' thin, eager face. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? upon a handsome competence. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "'Quite sure, dad.' soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few daring than any effort of the imagination." writers could invent nothing more crude." forbidden door. way in everything. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I green of the new foliage. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. with her." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "I am all attention, madam." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still bill, which interests me deeply." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I