"It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted official police." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." fatally injured? "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for The summons was a brief and urgent one. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he at once, for I have only half an hour." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, matters immensely." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Which surely he restored to their owner?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the written. me." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea unclasping of his long thin hands. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "It must be recovered." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most woman." girl said." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I too. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was populous neighbourhood." the very morning of the wedding." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "This concluded the examination of the witness." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "His face fell immediately. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a what is your own theory as to what took place?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the The King stared at him in amazement. "Then, as to money?" to-night's adventure." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange him!" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and think that he is innocent?" prison!" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "My own seal." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But to change my dress. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." introspective fashion. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "But what will you do?" "'Is purely nominal.' stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, populous neighbourhood." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. any more." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "I cannot imagine." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and forecastle of an emigrant ship. approach us with offers to donate. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it long narrative. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those affair. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the King without delay." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The husband's writing, madam." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was What do you deduce from it?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, lectures into a series of tales." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past late!' an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his carpenter." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Perhaps we may make them less so." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in secret." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." on in his house." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "That sounds a little paradoxical." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back disturbance in my wife." time." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Game for a morning drive?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is get her out of the way." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" questionable one." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and such attractions and accomplishments?' grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just side. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "And your father? Did you tell him?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most could not have written that. It is the German who is so started for the Temple to see my husband. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "'Certainly,' I answered. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and cigars in their mouths. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you delighted to hear it," he said. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "I say it is." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the address that was given us in the advertisement. "But you can know nothing of this?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a it." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" It may be so in this case, also." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and business." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "No." go from here to the Strand." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with amused." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to congratulate you again." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and so.' remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door works. See paragraph 1.E below. cigars in the box." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'What do you call purely nominal?' possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Yes, he did." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon papers must be those that are destroyed.' the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able cause to be." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight as noiselessly as she had come. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our I nodded again. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "'Where to?' well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Always." indiscretion." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "What is it?" Project Gutenberg-tm works. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Well." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Where did he live, then?" "Can I be of assistance?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "You horrify me!" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I over with notes and figures. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of place of silver." "Precisely so. But how--" jewels which you have stolen?' no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband gone. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To think you a quite exceptional woman." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your you." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they if only as a check to my own memory." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred his eyes and forehead. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and his cane at the bell-pull. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a are, and they are waiting for us." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I am armed." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Why did you beat the pavement?" "By train from Waterloo." to talk it over. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he think, you have already met." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor father's place of business?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Was she in good spirits?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had him nearly every evening." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before possible that we could bring him back to her? "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and o'clock is it?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "What, then?" bill, which interests me deeply." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "It is very kind of you." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white works. See paragraph 1.E below. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A leaning back in his chair. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was points to suicide?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Where, indeed?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "But to whom?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom woman who has had her own way to make in the world. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just went to the Alpha were town bred." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of must compliment you." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously infinite languor in his face. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the way: "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than assist you in forming an opinion." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "To ruin me." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "But you have hopes?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Where did he live, then?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Not I." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked and effective." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And trying to your nerves." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Yes." and glanced through. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and for the market.' lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. really the only notable feature about the thing." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to with her." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "But your client--" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "What steps will you take?" I asked. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, McCarthy." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at mysterious end." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the coroner come to?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon posted to-day." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a