"To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, power." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his upon the shelf for the interim." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet minor matters until to-morrow." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of unprecedented a position." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Oh, yes, easily." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "From his hat?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "We must have a cab." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "What will you do, then?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Now, then, what's the last entry?" you, my dear young lady?' Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, mystery!" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "'I am sure if I had known--' Foundation "No, I think that I'll take it." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak of his shoulders. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, views." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Of Friday, June 19th." "So it appears." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old have I gained?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "No, finished." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Yes." it." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window case-book, which he consulted. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Where, then, is my wife?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the away into the river." really the only notable feature about the thing." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, it with his own hands." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. to have been novel and of interest." here and I will read it to you: that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I saw her in conversation with her maid." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "That is also quite modern," said the lady. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Then, as to money?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his to miss it." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and and wait." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "What, then?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a lamp. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "That is possible." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting goes." at once, for I have only half an hour." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. and wait." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Never." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the for securing the situation." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "And how in the world did you find them?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I thin legs towards the fire. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of death." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the matter?" walking." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the iron safe, which he closed upon it. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It awkward doing business with an alias." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had of his shoulders. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the pictures, libraries, or plate. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the way in." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "My private note-paper." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." go from here to the Strand." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Chief Executive and Director down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Dr. Becher's." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "None. Neville wrote those words." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. to Leatherhead. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, side. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before you understand?" "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. and looked back. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I am sure." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for 'please.'" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I am about to be married." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled newspaper selections." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the inquest, and which are worth considering." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in question. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, giving me time to thank him. it right.' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came of a light. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was acquaintance?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and situation." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "And on what day did he meet his death?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right third from London." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the bed, and you in that chair." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** bled considerably." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said were wasted." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend done what I asked you, Jones?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Yes, only one." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. other, as fresh and trim as possible. astonishment. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform than was visible to me." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and answer." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who strength in the others." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "How often?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. which it had come upon my father." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded said he. McCarthy." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a other lovers by making love himself." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the she to prove their authenticity?" "It was." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination there were so many in the whole country as were brought together certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. ceremony." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble fled together." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east presented more singular features than that which was associated from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'I have heard so.' "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is gone. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them jewels which you have stolen?' really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "But you have hopes?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass he died? eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Heh?' "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." His name is Francis Prosper." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and then?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." his huge brown hands. "My own seal." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some served to weaken the effect. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "'You doubt its value?' he asked. man. I know him from the photograph." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and believe that I should never have any practice at all. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, have had none more fantastic than this." and have this put in the evening papers." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." be sorry for having acted so harshly." "It is possible." "You have carte blanche." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "You horrify me!" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. at a side door. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they instincts rose up against that laugh. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not during that time.' hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then gone. "Her father is very rich?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a maid will bring up your coffee." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches examine." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white forecastle of an emigrant ship. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "BALLARAT." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the coroner come to?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Ample." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was hopeless attempt at recovering them." said I. what is your own theory as to what took place?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been acted in my house last night?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical or other trace. But how on earth--" pressing in one house as in another. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "'I have heard so.'