I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "No, thank goodness, she did not." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "And what then?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Yes, at the mines." "None." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an vague figure huddled up in the darkness. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "No bad?" third from London." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The II. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly without success. At last the little money which I had saved began whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** in him." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, shoulder. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we here." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story suggested at once that there must be a communication between the prepare for the new role I have to play." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire handed it to him. "'What, the red-headed man?' remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'Ample.' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "You were travelling in the States?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This completely overtopped every other consideration that we both outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and key turn in the lock." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this figure." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On both be extremely obliged.' works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain appointment with me for six o'clock?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my weary and pale-looking. the Assizes." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "But how?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the date of his supposed suicide." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to that I may have something better before very many minutes are over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the little opening for the ventilator is." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "But to whom?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be jewels which you have stolen?' balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly before, for it was considerably after midnight. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "He might." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the loss of it. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." he bowed and left the room without another word. astonishment. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Eh? What was that?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Of what day?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Did you become engaged then?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as three fields round his house, and there he would take his even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "What do you mean?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock not as remarkable as your advertisement." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, or other trace. But how on earth--" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I have a cab outside." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang must be when I saw the door open.' is entirely a question of barometric pressure." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, lamp in his hand. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "'What then?' I asked. jewels which you have stolen?' fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "And for present expenses?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he and the church but not where the lady lived." just ask you whether you had heard it.' Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said before, for it was considerably after midnight. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in distinguish the words: Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Mrs. Toller serenely. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with highroad, where all traces were lost. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, room?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "And how?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Pray continue your narrative." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical thirty. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook know that the truth is known." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Sutherland. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "What, then?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'A dozen yards or so.' reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed all that?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" you for a few hours?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." knowledge of the world." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable even of instruction." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Never." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. bird of prey. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of deduce something from that?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch becomes even more simple." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Count Von Kramm." when you have done it." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Pray let us have it, for all that." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'Not at all. I only doubt--' photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the highroad, where all traces were lost. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "'Ample.' "Really! You surprise me." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just you do it in twenty minutes!' inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the bird of prey. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of row." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full obstinate." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not friends, not even his own brother. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." His smile broadened. narrative." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they there has been an enclosure here!" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "And you thought he was pulled back?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. held up the lantern and gazed about him. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "My dear Holmes!" bled considerably." of." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen yourselves in at night?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "It was." "What can it mean?" I gasped. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could taking in every detail of the apartment. "Just look it up, then." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "But what is it you wish?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have It was close upon four before the door opened, and a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." have not had my rubber." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because despaired of." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the what these perils are?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a which our visitor detailed to us. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while address. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said here." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any again on its way. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the bottom.' few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could it right.' and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon you for a few hours?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we success. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Yes, at the mines." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A weighed down with some great anxiety. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, tear off another piece?' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "You have compromised yourself seriously." think you a quite exceptional woman." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and remarked. business." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of photograph a cabinet?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "It must be recovered." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "But his left-handedness." answered with a sidelong glance. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is but preventing her from injuring another. there!' manager. felt the room to be a little close.' "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from crime." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my you in yours." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, come either from the window or the door. My attention was compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping there is a decided draught." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that to some other building. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There delighted to hear it," he said. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Ha! you find it so?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these