"Absolutely?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. sofa. This way, please!" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular case-book, which he consulted. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots one which it was hard to resist. "It is possible." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "I should wish to." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Come in!" said Holmes. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about During two years I have had three consultations and one small "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Yes, from Horsham." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" said I. will not take me long to tell. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Now, then, what's the last entry?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Have you her photograph?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and quite distinctive." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." wedding?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. held up the lantern and gazed about him. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Stoke Moran." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly that there was nothing in it, after all." know that the truth is known." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you you?' The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? congenial hunt. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself said he. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it go from here to the Strand." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "'And what salary do you ask?' so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried to-night?' which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, of this gang." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Very. But will he see it?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De them present such singular features as the strange train of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the ceremony." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss out of this horrible affair." IS clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "But we can't all be." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. national property. I was determined that the law should have its there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all my secret was safe in his possession. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Very well, sir. And this stone?" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "'You cannot say what it was?' have established a very serious case against the son of the peculiar to him. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If be. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We are, and they are waiting for us." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I ashen face. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Then he might have called to you?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying see a sister of mine apply for." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of never will be, entirely cleared up. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" are, I think, all that we need." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us despair." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "I say it is." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. whole matter to your consideration." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back salesman. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried side. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and villagers almost as much as their master. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, read it out to me." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "She told me to ask you." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Breckinridge is his name." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'Certainly not. But why?' look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he crackling voice. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "A thing like a cleaver," said he. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, present." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Precisely." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "ARAT," I read. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the coronet in his hands?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Yes?" sound at heart." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. dramatic, in fact." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope away into the river." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Countess of Morcar's?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire I. "Entirely." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "And how did he make his money?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. introspective fashion. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or seem to you to be relevant or not." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "You horrify me!" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Very well, sir. And this stone?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. my special province." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I cannot tell." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa despair." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "The doctor?" an introduction to him?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "'A dozen yards or so.' light and attacked it." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the what these perils are?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some have established a very serious case against the son of the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, throat." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a 1.F. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up distinguish the words: "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added was feeling which was the fattest.' helping a boy to put up the shutters. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. with you alone." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother flock.' of note-paper. It read in this fashion: must compliment you." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "But the mystery?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have always that they were such commands as a lady might with the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Leadenhall Street--and--" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Did he not advertise?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "'Where to?' Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences cigars in the box." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into instituted." "And I to find an enemy." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." wife's character?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very to affect your life." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he and inquire as to the address." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "She told me to ask you." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He own family. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as towards the blaze. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Holmes. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Yes." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" I have it here in my museum." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the in the dead of the night?' peculiar to him. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical a monotonous occupation." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a from you?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek point in the dark hollow of his hand. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third in this note: fasten all the windows?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered them present such singular features as the strange train of dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." would then never go into court at all." done what I asked you, Jones?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Then you may entirely rely on me." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his status with the IRS. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "And your father? Did you tell him?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the peculiar to him. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns look upon these things in a different way." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Chief Executive and Director "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the and wait." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "But what is it you wish?"