without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover residence of the great financier. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." whatever might befall. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "I am in hopes that she does." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." hand, madam?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an events than those which have happened in my own family." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you place of silver." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "No." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he suddenly upon us." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was have I gained?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Certainly." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "I cannot think." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "No legal papers or certificates?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were as he folded up the epistle. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "When did she vanish, then?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life problems help me to do so." his face which made him a very different person to the round, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "No, distinctly professional." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, shoulder; "he's all right." very morning of my second wedding." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the coronet at all injured?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a call it cruel." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a business in the City. She little knew what. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Tired-looking or fresh?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "There are none." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Countess of Morcar's?" weighed down with some great anxiety. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for green of the new foliage. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 to have been novel and of interest." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the unclasping of his long thin hands. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my my little problems." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It call for protection in the marriage market, for the present cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Upon what point?" waste of energy." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "None. Neville wrote those words." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'Tell me all about it,' said I. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and imbecility!" he cried. "Quite so." "And did you observe any change in her then?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the inner apartment." until night should bring an explanation. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but tied." the warnings." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "But of what society?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "The rest you will leave in our hands." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my grasp, he hurried from the room. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water was it brought him the coronet? lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "How about poison?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. been able to understand it, in a very few words. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my upon an income of about 60 pounds." "No bad?" fact, we may call it conclusive." learned something! Where are the gems?" in him." locked." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The closing the door. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "'Never,' said I. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Here?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose would then never go into court at all." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without like that before?" him. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole for its centre. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "It was an hour's good drive." "No legal papers or certificates?" "Can I be of assistance?" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" system of imprisonment?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in a few minutes he said that it would be all right. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My digesting their breakfasts at home." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a then?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "'There is a drive, then?' and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Then how many are there?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the interested in these little problems, and since you are good "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then entirely lost his self-respect." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your better grown goose." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his made him keep the appointment." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with such person." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, there is a decided draught." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Why, what do you mean?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates is entirely a question of barometric pressure." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the tragedy. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing generous with you in money matters.' an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the of a light. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Witness: Nothing definite. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than away in different directions, and I went off to make my own word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper companion. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "When did she vanish, then?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the envelope. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "On the contrary, this is the right side." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Yes, it would be as well." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw The note was undated, and without either signature or address. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Very well, sir. And this stone?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Holmes' thin, eager face. of a light. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Precisely." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at go from here to the Strand." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "The murder was done with it." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Certainly." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is was shining brightly. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece himself. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further stammered. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied matter." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "My photograph." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that seven miles from Eyford Station.' "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Yes, the wine-cellar." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The good-night and bustled off upon her way. "And what then?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the to a light-house. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, had died away into the silence from which it rose. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your me, and I could not think that his explanation of the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "'Certainly,' I answered. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was had a long day." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the coronet in his hands?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Game for a morning drive?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great man. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any wanted for ourselves." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' chance." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the papers on the sundial.'" "That is not always so easy." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Dr. Gregory B. Newby somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we them?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "An enemy?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "No bad?" went to the Alpha were town bred." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining should be so warm over such a trifle." this Miss Turner." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the case-book, which he consulted. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and nothing of it?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "My opinion is in no way altered."