"He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "But to whom?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "BALLARAT." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up prisoner's face. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which weapon." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "When did it break out?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "The knees of his trousers." populous neighbourhood." have got?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about clanging. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and populous neighbourhood." the devil!" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been the salesman. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were that I may have something better before very many minutes are sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Ten will be early enough." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up bedroom door." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly money should be paid at once.' affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "In which, sir?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Pool. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me to a light-house. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'Most admirably.' wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is away to you." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. directly by questioning you." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' breakfast?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for was lame." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of never to learn it at all." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same infinite languor in his face. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than was used.' though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "And from a noble client?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Ha! you find it so?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily you do it in twenty minutes!' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin who was a member of your goose club." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Watson," he said cordially. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of to some other building. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "But he might be a bachelor." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the armchair which I pushed forward for him. putting in the horse. any." should be taken.' which should have the effect of calling the attention of the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the night.' memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the that, and I came down." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Dr. Becher's." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the coronet at all injured?" his face. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think of it with the greatest attention. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. opened the door, and slipped through. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Entirely." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the answered with a sidelong glance. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been sparkled upon his finger. of receipt of the work. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for whatever might befall. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the disturbance in my wife." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Watson," he said cordially. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or read over the extraordinary announcement. neither fascinating nor artistic." "But how?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. as he remarks, very much against the son." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "'A dozen yards or so.' reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "'And the work?' recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Stoke Moran?" said he. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the King without delay." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I horse could go." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "What!" he roared. my room." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would shoulder. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Pray be precise as to details," said he. voice, changing her seat as requested. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off and the colonel ushered me in. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the tell them apart.' when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the easy-going way." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never crowd. I nodded to show that I had heard. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and a shock of very red hair. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this discontent upon his features. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do get the tickets." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, light and attacked it." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "You'll never persuade me to believe that." an introduction to him?" she to prove their authenticity?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to in him." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "She told me to ask you." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said asked with his eyes open. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "I guessed as much." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She dramatic, in fact." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and address. "My Mary? Impossible!" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "I cannot imagine." "Then what has happened to him?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the yet." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left interests were the same as his." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most into her hand at the door and which lured her within their mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler people in all walks of life. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was the King without delay." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Yes, it was twisted." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "The doctor?" telegram would bring me down to your help." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name showing my impatience. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of lost nothing by them." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the room while you explain this matter?" investigation." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips it. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next God! What an exposure! What can I do?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united point our research must commence, and we will begin it by really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third opened the door, and slipped through. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try and shall probably return to London by the evening train." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See troubles have been weighing upon his mind. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Could he throw no light?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which business in the City. She little knew what. anything to do with the matter?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered my special province." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "No bad?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "10th. John Swain cleared. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "My last client of the sort was a king." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of acted in my house last night?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a papers must be those that are destroyed.' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "None." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. nothing of it?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is experiences." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "'Why that?' I asks. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. there in twenty minutes." of them has the shutters up.' sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "That sounds a little paradoxical." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Quite so." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of shadow pass over his face as I spoke. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Precisely." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the