"'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident and your relations to her." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps until night should bring an explanation. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work than to us. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "I cannot tell." "A confidential servant?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of touch that coronet?' building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "And the cigar-holder?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." asked with his eyes open. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way arrangements." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Again Holmes raved in the air. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very something of him before." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "My dear Holmes!" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were see me here to avoid scandal." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with conclusions. washing it down with a long draught of water. "I cannot tell." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out vault. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. populous neighbourhood." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that paper in the air. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "An enemy?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of rose-bushes. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the were new raised from a basin. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very six. Come in!" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. a room. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about right! Sit down and let us talk it over." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. which are rolled in Rotterdam." instincts rose up against that laugh. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in meant." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and as noiselessly as she had come. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "It missed him, then?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of learned something! Where are the gems?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you meant it for the best. "But not more so than I to find you." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink affair. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Your sister is dead, then?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Your French gold?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." meant." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. to Leatherhead. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are villagers almost as much as their master. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Yes, the wine-cellar." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. floor. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Two days later this same performance was gone through under done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "The Cedars?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking you for a few hours?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." me what he had done with the three missing stones. matter over." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had subject to the trademark license, especially commercial be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened will be renamed. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "What?" "'Oh, no.' morning." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. any." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the side-table." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a go from here to the Strand." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the armchair which I pushed forward for him. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We which it had come upon my father." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "My stepfather's business papers." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "If I can be of use." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the seen the man in the road." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one events than those which have happened in my own family." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "But it has twice been burgled." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim him and tried to hold him back. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same your bag." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "'Never.' "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, lost nothing by them." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, heavily into it. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction do you make of it all?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "That is not always so easy." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'Where could I find him?' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "That is it on the dressing-table." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves new duties?' with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the heavy and sharp instrument." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her deduce something from that?" "'Yes, it was gone.' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the certainly do as you advise." "But his left-handedness." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in chill to my heart. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "She told me to ask you." front of me. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "I don't believe it." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "How did that help you?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here a room. answered with a sidelong glance. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I correct than the official force." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Not yet." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white ventilator." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the house with me." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water wife's character?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet in the dead of the night?' "I shall most certainly do so." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have nonsense.' relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may of it with the greatest attention. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Which are?" back into the street. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and as the one I chose?' "The Cedars?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, fattened it expressly for you.' c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." locked. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "The murder was done with it." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom an introduction to him?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the could gather together that I was able to avert another public the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my guilty one." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get fishes. before the coroner and the police-court." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless certainly not very gracious." train.' this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to a suggestive one." absorbing." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the pierced for earrings?" "That is it on the dressing-table." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "What do you mean?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk one or two very singular points about this room. For example, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "It may not come to that," said Holmes. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar trifles." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "You have the photograph?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Where, then, is my wife?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Gutenberg-tm License. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully undoubtedly my uncle's." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." followed. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found that?' "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining point our research must commence, and we will begin it by upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring which are rolled in Rotterdam." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. in the port of London." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy which it had come upon my father." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "But to whom?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America developed." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs to you." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it furiously. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "No." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "And you don't know his address?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close to have that photograph." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "My dear Holmes!" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "At half-wages, in fact." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between means taking possession of that which another person has a prior King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Did your wife hear all this?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive very old mansion. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his could not account in any way for the presence of the missing waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch south, for the country is more deserted there." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Then you may entirely rely on me." know all about it," he snarled. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which hair?' "Imitated." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more him nearly every evening." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the see me here to avoid scandal." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the bachelor.'