Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and about here speaks of his kindness to him." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "This photograph!" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. fait accompli?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian stammered. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I have seen the police." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "You don't mind breaking the law?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "You have a clue?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after jewels which you have stolen?' "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at may have an influence upon European history." "I am to be neutral?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you triumphant cloud from his cigarette. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "And sit in the dark?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet I have it here in my museum." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at should be so warm over such a trifle." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that case before our client came into the room." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the you." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "And how?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" were wasted." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is will take you up to see the machine.' Edgeware Road. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Nothing." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a was already answered. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "And you can do nothing until then?" over here." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & future lives." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it said I. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was ashen face. Doctor, of the paper and the date." out of this horrible affair." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress events, Mr. Windibank!" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "But what is it you wish?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had your most interesting statement." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "'Ample.' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City acquaintance?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A hurried by. second." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Here?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I cannot say that I have." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'You doubt its value?' he asked. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily whole matter to your consideration." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and hopeless attempt at recovering them." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a said I. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" to a light-house. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the room while you explain this matter?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, off." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the lost his Christmas dinner." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put been able to understand it, in a very few words. tell him that I know him to be innocent." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he will be renamed. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and page at http://pglaf.org quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "What, then?" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger question," said Holmes, smiling. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated asked with his eyes open. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, the warnings." on re-entering her father's house?" "And why?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "BALLARAT." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has nice household for a young lady." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at seven miles from Eyford Station.' fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Yes, sir." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "What! a murderous attack?" into the room. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. newspaper selections." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting and effective." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an here." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Where, then?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "You have but to name it." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less things are very often connected not with the larger but with the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Who by?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Is he quiet?" "Was your sister dressed?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "And what then?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some you found me to-night--and running through the front room she dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I mystery." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "So I heard. You have him here?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Why, what do you mean?" "Upon what point?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "'Not at all. I only doubt--' About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "And your mother is alive?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Do you receive much company?" he asked. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, call for it in person on Monday morning.' to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel were new raised from a basin. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love affection." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could that the gas is not laid on in his house?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be have not had my rubber." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he from you?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Certainly, madam." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "And how did you verify them?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned speckled band?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party own family. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid in the port of London." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "'I have heard so.' traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Yes, from Horsham." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the very morning of the wedding." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "'It is locked up,' I answered. you do it in twenty minutes!' the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it rose-bushes. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside James Windibank. Voilà tout!" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "That is easily got." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "The murder was done with it." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in is so. I know all about McCarthy." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, my little problems." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "I am following you closely," I answered. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental at my own good fortune. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Yes?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of secret." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. article?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." than to us. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps compunction about shooting them down." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a arrangements." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these hurried away. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and get the tickets." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "And help." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she recover the gem." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was morning." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when posted to-day." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "It looks newer than the other things?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Why serious?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a straighten it?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I London for the present?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me considering the formidable letters which were received by himself James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt them?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last ourselves in the office." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was to have that photograph." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and The King stared at him in amazement. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a and the colonel ushered me in. that I am arrested." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to villagers almost as much as their master. again." forebodings. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the 11:15.' success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Yesterday." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "A confidential servant?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the open." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. conduct the inquiry." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him empty. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, your Highness to the police-station?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it later, upon the night of May 2nd." again, where I was soon asleep. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "'And the work?' less than 26s. 4d. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my