companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. before the coroner and the police-court." me. "Then I can wait in the next room." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Pray continue your narrative." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but all that?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past jewels which you have stolen?' there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "You are all wrong." "In the cells." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "The knees of his trousers." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. definite end. may have an influence upon European history." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with and laid it on the table. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was clanging. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Well." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Literary Archive Foundation which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an strength." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to been deceived." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." criminal. We have already had experience of such." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Eh? What was that?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so as he folded up the epistle. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "In the cells." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too be sorry for having acted so harshly." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant companion. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, McCarthy's innocence. you." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "No." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in me where it went to?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "At half-wages, in fact." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. followed. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "ARAT," I read. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I me." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Texas, I think." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. returning from some small jollification and was making his way muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few During two years I have had three consultations and one small seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting points to suicide?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "I say it is." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a lost his Christmas dinner." the one as in the other." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "'And the work?' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Surrey." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he and I shall be with you presently." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Tired-looking or fresh?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "When did it break out?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were your troubles." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is invisible to me," I remarked. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Where, indeed?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor for its centre. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "No, thank goodness, she did not." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Do you go out much in society?" together. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among lost nothing by them." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "'I am sure if I had known--' from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Yes." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, away to you." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I was feeling which was the fattest.' never came back." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "That is not always so easy." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our new acquaintance to Baker Street. you." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already foot. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "So I heard. You have him here?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one notes," he said. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark me where it went to?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, sound at heart." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran straightened it out again. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, that?' their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "When did she vanish, then?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards six. Come in!" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in digesting their breakfasts at home." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Yes." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "9th. McCauley cleared. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the is four-and-twenty." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and would then never go into court at all." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. done what I asked you, Jones?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." eat it." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "I will try. What is it?" it." "Not social, then?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major purpose equally well?" For additional contact information: Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little ran thus: listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'Ample.' down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On me, and I could not think that his explanation of the as noiselessly as she had come. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. in a very precise fashion." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, against a man in the prime of life?" "Nothing?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. rat could hardly pass through." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An front of me. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Here?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Holmes' face clouded over. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this what is your own theory as to what took place?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Dark enough and sinister enough." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the been shamefully used." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a with frightened eyes at his accuser. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at DAMAGE. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were to-night." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name in his hands." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." said he. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I about. "I should wish to." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Deserted you?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great it. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Your sister is dead, then?" cigar and let me expound." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Very murderous indeed." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, round with crates and massive boxes. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to must be when I saw the door open.' I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "I have solved it." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Come in!" said Holmes. showing my impatience. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" second window is the one that I jumped from." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings believe that I should never have any practice at all. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not 1.F. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage hour?' one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side very peculiar words of the dying woman?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Your presence might be invaluable." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as straightened it out again. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid had a long day." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young upon the sideboard." or in danger--" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced For additional contact information: "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "What shall I do?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "None. Neville wrote those words." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes yet." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. call the police, let the police find what they can.' I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Yes, I have one waiting." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "In what way?" asked Holmes. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Seven!" I answered. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure derbies." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "You think so, too?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought