the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a late." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the allusion to a rat. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but you found me to-night--and running through the front room she locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "And how in the world did you find them?" business at Coburg Square is serious." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned matters immensely." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "My dear Holmes!" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Countess of Morcar's?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and looking up at the numbers of the houses." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the running down." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public confronted him. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." a suggestive one." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "But his left-handedness." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "You have carte blanche." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a mystery may be cleared along those lines." "No, my brougham is waiting." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense have an American origin." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what did not hear it also.' About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in other means.' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'You doubt its value?' he asked. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as roused himself from his reverie. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "And it is--" stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the in a friendly supper." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but excitement. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Yes, all." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "'And the work?' of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a not within a twentieth part of the market price." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow she to prove their authenticity?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "BALLARAT." to you." helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else could gather together that I was able to avert another public than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the Friday. Was it to be in church?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in burst out into a roar of laughter. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the little adventures." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "On Monday." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that 'I should be able to look after that for you.' remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless just called myself is not exactly my own." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." any little problem which you may submit to me." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. written, and locked the door of the office after me. within hail.' what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. there in twenty minutes." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived showing my impatience. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "My own seal." before, for it was considerably after midnight. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "I see no marks." "Yes." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Game for a morning drive?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "But how?" allusion to a rat. some city in a dream. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Holmes rather sternly. against a man in the prime of life?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Again Holmes raved in the air. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "It is possible." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I remarked. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "But we can't all be." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" ways of our fellow-men." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'And what salary do you ask?' true." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "The Cedars?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his The police have openly confessed that they can at present make and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "So it appears." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Eyford at 11:15.' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah is acting for the best. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of place of silver." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "I see many objections to any such theory." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it beg that you will break it off." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE reach." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, question. was keenly on my guard against him. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several your most interesting statement." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first which it had come upon my father." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on leaning back in his chair. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the one as in the other." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. of the one which your family is now devouring." "Certainly." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. arrested. You then--" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is started for the Temple to see my husband. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Frequently." power." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "You are hungry," I remarked. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his better grown goose." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Do you go out much in society?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest interest. They are important, you understand, without being "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found what is your own theory as to what took place?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in disturbance in my wife." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold second." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life weapon." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears that, and I came down." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Pray do so." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed maid will bring up your coffee." kind enough to tell me what I should do." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right been anything against him. He had for years been known as a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "It missed him, then?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "No." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met he died? frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually to-night's adventure." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke seen the man in the road." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "No." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet green of the new foliage. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir her also." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord are windows in it, of course?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Witness: I must still refuse. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "How about poison?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a forehead. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You purpose equally well?" papers on the sundial.'" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Yes, I have one waiting." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' official police." himself to tell his story. chill to my heart. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "At what time?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I am sure." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Holmes." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "We have tried and failed." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "How can you tell that?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was front of me. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Literary Archive Foundation Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers late." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped