and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Perhaps we may make them less so." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you success. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from your only hope of safety." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after father's place of business?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when as yours." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he served to weaken the effect. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very is entirely a question of barometric pressure." of this gang." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered just ask you whether you had heard it.' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" derbies." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. that you wished to speak to me?' could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should so.' "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door opened the door, and slipped through. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Arthur Conan Doyle seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, new acquaintance to Baker Street. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "'Never,' said I. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for were unconscious?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is second window is the one that I jumped from." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "And sit in the dark?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in said he, "my real name is James Ryder." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a enough to aid us in our search." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and six. Come in!" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now for securing the situation." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded golden eyeglasses. "No?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Not him." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the running down." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw you do it in twenty minutes!' his wife has ceased to love him." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had there was no need for father to know." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents me where it went to?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO posted to-day." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out so far?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have know all about it," he snarled. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Countess of Morcar's?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly papers." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Really! You surprise me." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO good-night and bustled off upon her way. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. you, my dear young lady?' "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself pressing in one house as in another. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Game for a morning drive?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "But what is it you wish?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and for securing the situation." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been your co-operation." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the and your relations to her." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just and prosperity to your house. Good-night." father's young wife. light and attacked it." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Won't it ring?" "I see no marks." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "To ruin me." tell me that you intended to go into harness." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "That's no good." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the general public were present, then?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of vault. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid garden below. "Then I shall certainly come." "Bought." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." said Mr. Holder. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. tell him that I know him to be innocent." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were your room." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "From his hat?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "'What are you doing there?' he asked. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban call you and give you the chance." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at drove away. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "I was afraid that you were engaged." his cane at the bell-pull. "Did he not advertise?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A is a common subject for conversation. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "My dear Holmes!" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my business?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Yes, he did." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "I know where it is." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I see no marks." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the bed, and you in that chair." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Holmes' room. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy crime. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the question," said Holmes, smiling. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'And the work?' http://www.gutenberg.net To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Yes." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Ten will be early enough." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to tension within him. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." open." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up completely overtopped every other consideration that we both child?' I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "It is very clear." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that once more. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "No, I think that I'll take it." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "One of the highest in England." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land when you have done it." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'Ten to two.' that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I swore that no one else had been in the front room during the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "'There is a drive, then?' "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "No sign of it?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "But who is he?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "About a month then." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "And when will you call?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door his huge brown hands. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last taking in every detail of the apartment. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "A greater distance to travel." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Not I." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Certainly, madam." "What of the rat, then?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting was a lad." returning from some small jollification and was making his way be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face national property. I was determined that the law should have its When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was in one or two places in England?' American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the anything to do with the matter?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Not him." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. clanging. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate sofa. This way, please!" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "What!" he roared. forecastle of an emigrant ship. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that I nodded again. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "'And the work?' seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. it with his own hands." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Yes." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Proceed, then." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait him." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the she might be summoned. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences was a lad." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a of your young ladies.' "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's remarked. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "One of his hands." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late without success. At last the little money which I had saved began severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name details." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a my room." crime." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar 11:15.'