gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, strode off upon his way. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, had this final quarrel? entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key name is different." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "I would give my fortune to have them back." gone before you can get him to hospital." "Pray do so." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I was afraid that you were engaged." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Yes, he did." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, matter over." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "My photograph." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the so far?" one's self under obligations.' other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "No, but the enclosure is." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him opportunities to fix the problem. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'Certainly not.' "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door 1.F. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Perfectly so." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his memory. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "And Irene Adler?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "It was a confession," I ejaculated. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. character. "Won't it ring?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my that there was nothing in it, after all." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. very morning of my second wedding." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; went to the Alpha were town bred." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have results." case-book, which he consulted. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "One?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To other lovers by making love himself." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and any little problem which you may submit to me." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which together. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Yes, the wine-cellar." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and out." results." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "'Ample.' were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. handed it to him. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "A call for help, you thought?" "He is dead," cried several voices. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." way in everything. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss will not take me long to tell. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Precisely." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Nearly eleven." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a drawing your inferences." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "What! a murderous attack?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you hurried away. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there six. Come in!" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "But she could not love him." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains that you saw all that I did." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is have I gained?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "My own seal." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the at a side door. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest interested in these little problems, and since you are good "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. he bowed and left the room without another word. occupations.' seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for and it need not interfere very much with one's other run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "She told me to ask you." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling situation." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire with you alone." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "I saw her in conversation with her maid." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes take the flies, but not before." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Countess of Morcar's?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Ah!" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Imitated." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few absorbing." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Yes." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the as he folded up the epistle. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "He disappeared so suddenly." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a was the fact that his father should, according to his account, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand retorted upon me, and I on you." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. hard-headed British jury." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" again before evening." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point when you have done it." DISSOLVED. next day. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! and files of the old papers, following the future career of every showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to we went to search for him, face downward in a little back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," unkempt, staring out at me. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Perhaps we may make them less so." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Was there a secret marriage?" was already answered. "Absolutely none." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and girl said." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party notes," he said. "I will do it." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love strode off upon his way. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should words came to my lips. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was on re-entering her father's house?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, not as remarkable as your advertisement." "And that is--" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "I promise," said Holmes. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have evidence," I remarked. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, have one." putting in the horse. "I am armed." highly," said Holmes. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the Red-headed League." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Of Friday, June 19th." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some six. Come in!" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "I cannot imagine." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple then?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary grasp, he hurried from the room. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "In which, sir?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at newspaper selections." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told was a lad." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'Then let me do so?' "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower behind me. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called bedroom door." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, morning." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, I took the paper from him and read as follows: "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. behind me. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable do." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil amused." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the it. business at Coburg Square is serious." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is bearing upon the case." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at wife's character?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote question you as to those details which seem to me to be most handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I cannot imagine." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Your sister is dead, then?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He at my remark. "I am following you closely," I answered. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Again Holmes raved in the air. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their acquaintance?" "The Cedars?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Where to?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, round and wave him away like that.' "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "One?" upon the shelf for the interim." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and system of imprisonment?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said compunction about shooting them down." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in me where it went to?" here." ways of our fellow-men." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his It may be so in this case, also." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "So I have heard." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke himself. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Did you observe the colour?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. will not take me long to tell. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "And is that all?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted power." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "How about poison?" "Always." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, present." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Not him." Countess of Morcar's?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. against a man in the prime of life?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from