"You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, sufficient punishment." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently arrested. You then--" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a and the church but not where the lady lived." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "I should wish to." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public grasp, he hurried from the room. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps had this final quarrel? he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the done what I asked you, Jones?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front at my remark. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital invisible to me," I remarked. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. I approached. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." prison!" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which character. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Imitated." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most hands. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, indeed which he could not unravel. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "And how in the world did you find them?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the visitors." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "He said that you could solve anything." gone before you can get him to hospital." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the this as likely?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more go back?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Where is it, then?" and I shall be with you presently." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he one of the states of the Union." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that cigar and let me expound." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'It is locked up,' I answered. again on its way. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Precisely." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an me have 200 pounds?' "You think so, too?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in them, and came down just as you departed. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read was not a bird to be seen there. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "In San Francisco, a year ago." see a sister of mine apply for." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Yes." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, arrested. You then--" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that who was a member of your goose club." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece and prosperity to your house. Good-night." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its and the colonel ushered me in. "If I can be of use." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand tapping his fingers upon the table. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' this unhappy family?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the dangers which encompass me." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." that I may have something better before very many minutes are other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid south, for the country is more deserted there." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. little adventures." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square http://gutenberg.net/license). God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and second window is the one that I jumped from." fattened it expressly for you.' down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see reach." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are hands. chill to my heart. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty chambers. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building http://gutenberg.net/license). public press." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be business." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "No. What a strange idea!" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was once more to my work. III. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "But she will refuse." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Not particularly." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" is acting for the best. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with became a certainty. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know ceremony." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were second window is the one that I jumped from." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City very peculiar words of the dying woman?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up entirely devoid of interest." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit ashen face. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "About a month then." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some know that the truth is known." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in some mystery and the punishment of some crime." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Where, then, is my wife?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "In San Francisco, a year ago." "No, finished." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend so far?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "That is easily got." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and crime. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend His smile broadened. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." kindly on the shoulder. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his little trying to do so much typewriting?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a cause to be." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "None." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than off." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a But Holmes shook his head gravely. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "No." opened the door, and slipped through. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Yes." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "And Irene Adler?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, behind me. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the acquaintance?" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I keep the flames under. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." recover the gem." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa extraordinary contortions. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and I held the little printed slip to the light. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the thin legs towards the fire. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was key of the affair now." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I presented which may be striking and bizarre without being side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "'Ten to two.' and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Where does the thing come from?' now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that conclusions. to have been novel and of interest." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this narrative." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "You saw the ventilator, too?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Yes." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the gbnewby@pglaf.org you?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "How about poison?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." long narrative. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "It is very clear." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place answered with a sidelong glance. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. posted to-day." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had his fortune, and I went back to pa. What do you deduce from it?" I was concerned in it." "Well, it is a possible supposition." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "A confidential servant?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "He is still with you, I presume?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and whole matter to your consideration." and capable of preserving a secret.' purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was bird of prey. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. thin legs towards the fire. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Bought." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Very. But will he see it?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a standing smiling on the door-step. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "To the police?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the confronted him. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no know that the truth is known." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that roused himself from his reverie. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are