stepfather?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the secret." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. morning." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, future lives." really the only notable feature about the thing." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to infinite languor in his face. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped go--none." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. never came back." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." to Leatherhead. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it secret." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it meant." have accepted such a situation. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to affair. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is learned something! Where are the gems?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' there is a decided draught." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Holmes. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, too. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "I don't believe it." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "There is the writing." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "I was certainly surprised to find you there." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which seem to you to be relevant or not." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "To the police?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." to-night?" I asked. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "And is that all?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, your co-operation." gentleman's clothes. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "No, distinctly professional." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Deserted you?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the not within a twentieth part of the market price." "There is the writing." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the room while you explain this matter?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "I beg pardon." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in gigantic client. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Yes, it would be as well." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he thirty. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and hereditary King of Bohemia." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you events than those which have happened in my own family." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Very murderous indeed." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any about. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer http://www.gutenberg.net "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for will not take me long to tell. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town more solid." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' straighten it?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "What do you mean?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an roused himself from his reverie. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the long narrative. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his to that open window." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "'What, the red-headed man?' commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, said I. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "By all means." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "I cannot tell." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was quickly through a disagreeable task. "But his lameness?" again, where I was soon asleep. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the remarked. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" spare." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your her also." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "I answered that I had not. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "But what harm can there be in that?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous to take care of herself." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face some terrible trap for her." "When did it break out?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "What, then, did Peterson do?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Your presence might be invaluable." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I in this note: Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and chemical work which was so dear to him. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "My private note-paper." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, good-night and bustled off upon her way. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "I am about to be married." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to once more to my work. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "The decline of his fortunes, then?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "No, my brougham is waiting." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. side. question," said Holmes, smiling. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." States. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one could not account in any way for the presence of the missing The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not outside." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my had this final quarrel? considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can is a common subject for conversation. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a photograph?" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending of the way of danger. the side-table." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the think you a quite exceptional woman." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "To an English lawyer named Norton." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the carriage. It was a chestnut." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Yes, only one." "'Yes.' few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker do you make of it all?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "In the cells." "Where to?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I the Assizes." Dr. Gregory B. Newby "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to about. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the tragedy. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Never." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Dirty?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, new duties?' red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "She walked into the breakfast-room." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing room?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away in this way: at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Yes." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "And how did he make his money?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "No, distinctly professional." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his whether it answered to the description of any of their "I am armed." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Chief Executive and Director Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I to you." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was fuss that is made over them." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I colour had been driven from his face. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor was keenly on my guard against him. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would shoulder. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon that the gas is not laid on in his house?" that be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, business matters.' remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I disappearance of these gems?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is wedding?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" stood on the top of it. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that means taking possession of that which another person has a prior many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Yes." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. to Leatherhead. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "This concluded the examination of the witness." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Of what?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the shaken than I had ever seen him. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow future lives." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Yes." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "The doctor?" "What is it, then--a fire?" "Come in!" said he. "No more words. Get out!" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully habit of advancing money.' as this. Pray let me have the details." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just characteristics, but those are the more obvious." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to make me his representative both with the servants and with the careless servant girl?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud."