"'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from his cane at the bell-pull. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a done what I asked you, Jones?" your own bird, so if you wish--" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. less than 26s. 4d. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of You want to know what became of those geese?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, of a light. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a voice, changing her seat as requested. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by tension within him. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "But how will you look?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "No?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom she might be summoned. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the very morning of the wedding." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." would then never go into court at all." dramatic, in fact." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "We must have a cab." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able to a light-house. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. directors, with the result that you have seen." "Why, what do you mean?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for could not have written that. It is the German who is so "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in started for the Temple to see my husband. yet." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are sufficient punishment." heavy and sharp instrument." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to it." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and remarked. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one quick march!" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Your presence might be invaluable." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a detained." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded despair." that I can to serve you." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him tell me that you intended to go into harness." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late little trying to do so much typewriting?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "'Quite sure, dad.' "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "And the cigar-holder?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows should be taken.' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" so.' "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." power." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you business?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Tired-looking or fresh?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Two days later this same performance was gone through under that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Was he the only applicant?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand not within a twentieth part of the market price." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Quite so. She has her freedom." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" sake, don't!" easy-going way." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "In what way?" asked Holmes. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend good-night and bustled off upon her way. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, furiously. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble the tragedy. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Perhaps we may make them less so." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Where is it, then?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door knowledge of the world." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from light and attacked it." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Pray do so." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." see a sister of mine apply for." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. closing the door. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "But we can't all be." his cane at the bell-pull. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Entirely." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight DAMAGE. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in to talk it over. the loss of it. "Yes, he did." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use felt?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. it were putty." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "It was." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "No. His orders were to stay in the house." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband better grown goose." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor examination of the premises, but without finding anything which over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a electronic works stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "One?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Surrey." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." fire. You quite follow me?" were unconscious?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a acquaintance?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of was lame." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a hands. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "But not more so than I to find you." quick march!" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed telegram would bring me down to your help." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, least a most suspicious remark." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a way: stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a thin legs towards the fire. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Yes, certainly." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to helping a boy to put up the shutters. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "None." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have mystery." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing that the gas is not laid on in his house?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and quite distinctive." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE strange features which were associated with the two crimes which I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Stolen." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, read it out to me." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" laugh and put his lips to my ear. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin any more." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." companion. other lovers by making love himself." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an appeal." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Oh, yes, easily." October 9, 1890. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to gigantic client. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been again on its way. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events generous with you in money matters.' walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Look there!" said he. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his ourselves in the office." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "What is it?" questioning and rather startled gaze. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me brandy and water within his reach. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and know that the truth is known." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous dead, shall be safe with us." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Who was the criminal, then?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the running down." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I should like to see him very much." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose ashen face. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged skylight. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a charged with?" have accepted such a situation. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as would then never go into court at all." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias You want to know what became of those geese?" "Entirely." "I promise," said Holmes. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Foundation back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Absolutely none." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment hair?' gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. where she found matters as described by the last witness. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Leadenhall Street--and--" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found before the coroner and the police-court." tension within him. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "And how did you find out?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you