again, where I was soon asleep. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had in his hands." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "You have a clue?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to trifles." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Cross for the Continent." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of to tackle the facts." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" horse could go." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my any little problem which you may submit to me." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Lestrade of Scotland Yard." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "What do you mean?" "The King of Scandinavia." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand him to go away.' "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Was she in good spirits?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the brandy and water within his reach. "Yes, at the mines." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Well, but China?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the to his chemical studies. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Chief Executive and Director however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' in his power. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was he. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Stolen, then." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." John Swain, of St. Augustine. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Foundation desk. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found ways including including checks, online payments and credit card contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence late." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "How many? I don't know." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his are, and they are waiting for us." awaited us upon the table. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "'And what are they worth?' I asked. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very things are very often connected not with the larger but with the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big them?" dramatic, in fact." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your have had none more fantastic than this." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "And your mother is alive?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for cigar and let me expound." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads his fortune, and I went back to pa. "I will try. What is it?" been shamefully used." and it need not interfere very much with one's other that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "How did you deduce the select?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the you." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for burst out into a roar of laughter. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Holmes' room. "Well?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" colour had been driven from his face. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the read it out to me." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when room had already been engaged for us. weighed down with some great anxiety. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was answered with a sidelong glance. brain must have something in it." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, see me here to avoid scandal." be. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in not, dad?" she asked. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. morning." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet a little more before I quite committed myself. prisoner's face. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed The police have openly confessed that they can at present make his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "You forget that I know nothing about it." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, disturbance in my wife." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself retorted upon me, and I on you." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble undoubtedly my uncle's." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Seven!" I answered. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was child?' old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "The knees of his trousers." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Stoke Moran?" said he. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Mary, has deserted me." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little for the market.' the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "None." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the best of training." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me License. You must require such a user to return or introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the inner apartment." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and little trying to do so much typewriting?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Not in a good cause." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Yes." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! or in danger--" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all have had none more fantastic than this." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement sufficient punishment." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began of the efforts of the United States government and of the better that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "To the police?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot fattened it expressly for you.' and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Have you it here?" have one." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Nothing." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to characteristics, but those are the more obvious." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "And is that all?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael noble correspondent could be. back to my heart. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of chemical work which was so dear to him. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Seven!" I answered. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to coroner's jury." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival impression behind it as though a window had gently closed values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of national property. I was determined that the law should have its arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Miss Holder?" light and attacked it." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk vague figure huddled up in the darkness. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and girl said." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now recall any case within my experience which looked at the first all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very recover the gem." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I say that I have solved it." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to were new raised from a basin. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular I. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Why? What do you mean?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he wanted for ourselves." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "'Never,' said I. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Where is it, then?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from disappearance of the bride.'" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far to tackle the facts." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "'Entirely.' "I will try. What is it?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Where did you address your letters, then?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a woven round him. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we there!' SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." you want, then?' "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** that he has suffered." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." correct than the official force." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "I came to find a friend." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those James Windibank. Voilà tout!" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, have accepted such a situation. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "What can you not understand?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the time." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case was already answered. advice." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Entirely." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'Entirely.' dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Eyford." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my face and glided from the room. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my