handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "I see many objections to any such theory." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and attention." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters on in his house." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat question," said Holmes, smiling. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to vanished into the darkness. row." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his village inn over there?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, despair." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Very murderous indeed." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "I have seen the police." putting in the horse. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come test if we have an answer to our advertisement." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, kind enough to tell me what I should do." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'Why that?' I asks. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," a monotonous occupation." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Yes, all." this man was intellectual?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a least a most suspicious remark." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she troubles have been weighing upon his mind. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell fire. You quite follow me?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I you understand?" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily of the way of danger. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few one which it was hard to resist. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as of Fenchurch Street." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors to tell." 11:15.' about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten papers must be those that are destroyed.' done what I asked you, Jones?" maid will bring up your coffee." my little problems." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for introspective fashion. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "But of what society?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the already referred to. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. take the flies, but not before." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a if I call to-morrow?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a the driver. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'Yes, I promise.' "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Absolutely none." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish morning." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back wife's character?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Look there!" said he. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three your sleep?' frequently gained my first real insight into the character of must compliment you." than to us. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a is," said he presently: "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "I don't say that. Perhaps." outbreak?" "Yes." Sutherland. all that?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the matter." disappearance of the bride.'" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did vanished into the darkness. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "But how?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me http://www.gutenberg.net Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and said he. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have thin legs towards the fire. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a the Assizes." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and was not a bird to be seen there. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a present." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Absolutely none." easy-going way." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "'Yes, sir.' "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. way in everything. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and written, and locked the door of the office after me. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. generous with you in money matters.' Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have get her out of the way." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "And your mother is alive?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an 'I should be able to look after that for you.' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss whatever might befall. had picked up in the wood. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'What do you call purely nominal?' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "At what time?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it what is your own theory as to what took place?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been what do you think they found in the pockets?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Witness: I must still refuse. "You forget that I know nothing about it." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to been deceived." "Where did he live, then?" the room while you explain this matter?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for had picked up in the wood. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any over his head with a sweet womanly caress. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in wedding?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I row." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "I will do it." "Yes." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable becomes even more simple." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat bell. Holmes whistled. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the to affect your life." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "What!" he roared. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his you." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an there!' "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in later, upon the night of May 2nd." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards bachelor.' shoulder; "he's all right." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there do you make of it all?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." business at Coburg Square is serious." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Witness: I must still refuse. "I am to be neutral?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Why serious?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name putting in the horse. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a have I gained?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her only touch the interest." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements manager. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. of his shoulders. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Yes, from Horsham." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," to a more successful conclusion." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Whose house is it?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little never came back." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise here." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "How are you getting on?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys again on its way. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was our word." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Then he might have called to you?" woven round him. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the held up the lantern and gazed about him. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Quite so. She has her freedom." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "That is unusual in a young girl." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Dr. Becher's." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. know that the truth is known." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for crackling voice. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put business at Coburg Square is serious." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "My photograph." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'Never,' said I. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left matter." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the to arrive at through this?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to some terrible trap for her." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, again." astonishment. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "None." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Witness: I must still refuse. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Here?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a to me. should be so warm over such a trifle." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "No." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." one of the states of the Union." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had with her." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." pressing in one house as in another. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the dangers which encompass me." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white investigation." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can http://gutenberg.net/license). going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "And the cigar-holder?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "And how did he make his money?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Heh?' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "No legal papers or certificates?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that