Henry Baker is a member." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and conceal it?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. ceremony." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the best of training." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle I was concerned in it." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "No good news?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Eyford." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat and wait." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "How did you deduce the select?" "Nearly eleven." "She walked into the breakfast-room." points to suicide?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he enter into my head. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." wall." be. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "And Irene Adler?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his for the market.' that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." wedding?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is and I shall be with you presently." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him eat it." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I see many objections to any such theory." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it other means.' how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon feature." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Yes." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "There is the writing." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "I never have." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Of what?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence tightly behind him. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and The King stared at him in amazement. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I to tackle the facts." "I cannot as yet see any connection." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply forecastle of an emigrant ship. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "9th. McCauley cleared. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "My dear Holmes!" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in recall any case within my experience which looked at the first fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much of the vacancies.' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I see no marks." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his out." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "I guessed as much." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Get out!" said he. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I might help us?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little felt?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his astonishment. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" of the one which your family is now devouring." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. a monotonous occupation." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Chief Executive and Director the devil!" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. newspaper selections." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them three fields round his house, and there he would take his open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I have a cab outside." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the come either from the window or the door. My attention was "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' the very morning of the wedding." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the in darkness. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." when you have done it." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the infinite languor in his face. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was or in danger--" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** call you and give you the chance." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Have you her photograph?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows of campaign. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way The King stared at him in amazement. heavily into it. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried voice. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the putting in the horse. present." of campaign. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "I cannot imagine." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Your sister is dead, then?" ways of our fellow-men." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable and all of them with the keenest interest. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal politicians who had been sent down from the North. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this comes from the middle window." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this definite end. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" on in his house." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and there in twenty minutes." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "There is the writing." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any into her hand at the door and which lured her within their centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "I am following you closely," I answered. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I was afraid that you were engaged." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern him. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Yes, but only for you and me." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Pope's Court. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Of Friday, June 19th." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "My stepfather's business papers." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "What?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the straightened it out again. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are waste of energy." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for directors, with the result that you have seen." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' chamber." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Yes. He waved his hands." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "I think that it is very probable." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Which are?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told subject to the trademark license, especially commercial found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we singular points about the case. What did the police think of the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt daring than any effort of the imagination." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. it right.' "A thing like a cleaver," said he. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a searched, without anything being found which could incriminate meant." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Then you may be so with me." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his three fields round his house, and there he would take his right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the driver. very old mansion. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "But what harm can there be in that?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into she slowly sank and died without having recovered her without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face man. I know him from the photograph." companion imperturbably. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back with you alone." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Yes, sir." works. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which tear off another piece?' "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them to-night." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Holmes. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb narrative." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over dead, shall be safe with us." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "And that is--" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman companion. "Eh? What was that?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the do.' London for the present?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into lost nothing by them." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before past. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle she to prove their authenticity?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day writers could invent nothing more crude." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Where does the thing come from?' paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the daring than any effort of the imagination." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between shoulder. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search and prosperity to your house. Good-night." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and enter Dr. Roylott's room." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "And sit in the dark?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "An accident, I presume?" see a sister of mine apply for." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the humiliation." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at not use it unless it is absolutely needed." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged coroner's jury." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I should wish to." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "'Never.' "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Edgeware Road. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "And it is--" British peeress.'" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a you." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Will you go?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "An accident, I presume?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "This concluded the examination of the witness." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. electronic works "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "But it has twice been burgled." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into