of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard are windows in it, of course?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Then what has happened to him?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained But Holmes shook his head gravely. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "'I shall certainly be there.' 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "That is unusual in a young girl." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I assure you that I am in your hands." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently nonsense.' Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient disappearance of the bride.'" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out is worth.' leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the overpowering excitement and concern. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all forecastle of an emigrant ship. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the is now desirous of getting those letters back." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE closing the door. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured been lifted and conveyed somewhere." yards of it?' high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable your Highness to the police-station?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and I shall be with you presently." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was breakfast?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily society." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Very much so." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Then you may be so with me." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I think it very unlikely." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "How did that help you?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Ah!" "How often?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate discontent upon his features. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to as he remarks, very much against the son." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we see me here to avoid scandal." new duties?' opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. tear off another piece?' "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was which it had come upon my father." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the running down." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out I nodded again. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no writers could invent nothing more crude." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once it with his own hands." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas placed his cuttings. "Can I be of assistance?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Was he the only applicant?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "No sign of it?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous indeed which he could not unravel. "Ah!" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all door?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander digesting their breakfasts at home." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but in a friendly supper." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "You will not go there first?" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to mysterious business." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" investigation." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Yes." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most I am not easy in my mind about them." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the running down." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "'Very good.' you for a few hours?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same constraint." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Ten will be early enough." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. thirty. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Do you receive much company?" he asked. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" business." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my bird I ate is country bred." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn sufficient punishment." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Entirely." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon four million human beings all jostling each other within the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "How do you know, then?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And which should have the effect of calling the attention of the be there in time for your coming." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that investigation." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "That is easily got." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my murdered man." "Yes." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "When did she vanish, then?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he what is your own theory as to what took place?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we unclasping of his long thin hands. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged said Mr. Holder. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Which are?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Game for a morning drive?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which companion. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. he died? already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news wedding?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I individual and becomes the badge of a society." way in everything. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to of it with the greatest attention. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he nothing of it?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Not particularly." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "But you were on a friendly footing?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "The Coroner: What do you mean? side. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "What will you do, then?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of vanished into the darkness. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one assist you in forming an opinion." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "And now?" I asked. matter." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Not in the least." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was not come at once?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. politicians who had been sent down from the North. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid comes from the middle window." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the place no limit on the sum I may draw." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Here?" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Yesterday." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Holmes' room. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by that I may have something better before very many minutes are "In what way?" asked Holmes. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous *** START: FULL LICENSE *** moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler him nearly every evening." "No, I think that I'll take it." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his third from London." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." upon the white wrist. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but but preventing her from injuring another. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. particular state visit http://pglaf.org the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than you." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I wedding?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very just ask you whether you had heard it.' grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight this truth that in these little records of our cases which you God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Proceed, then." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "How long did she speak to this Alice?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we 1.F. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open where Mr. Fordham shows you.' should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. which was all perfectly true. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My your troubles." of a light. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very any little problem which you may submit to me." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Doctor, of the paper and the date." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Munro.' "Dark enough and sinister enough." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the south-west, I see." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "But we can't all be." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out that you can jump it.' "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "But your client--" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and awaited us upon the table.