perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Why? What do you mean?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. it." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Yes, from Horsham." Leadenhall Street--and--" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. matter." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual shall not find me ungrateful." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no appeared upon the scene." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and ready to-morrow?' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "And how did you verify them?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. hour?' this remarkable episode. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be some place of shelter and let the county police know what has other means.' society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I would give my fortune to have them back." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the south-west, I see." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon he died? that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was true." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the devil!" IS "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." appeal." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her shag which I had seen upon the previous night. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this straightened it out again. "Dirty?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has matter." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked directors, with the result that you have seen." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. girl said." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "This photograph!" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems not, dad?" she asked. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in and I shall be with you presently." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed character. "Well, some hundreds of times." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered some water from a caraffe. "It is solved." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for upon the shelf for the interim." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been But Holmes shook his head gravely. "I will try. What is it?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the McCarthy." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the in him." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as chamber." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I had this final quarrel? his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "It must be recovered." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "The decline of his fortunes, then?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear to-night?" I asked. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk clanging. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for seem to you to be relevant or not." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out to tackle the facts." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor sofa. This way, please!" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I My friend smiled. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Precisely." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the running down." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Did you observe the colour?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" all?" future lives." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. But Holmes shook his head gravely. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Certainly." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he thin, with a long, sharp nose?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her him!" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, strode off upon his way. and laid it on the table. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The drove away. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "But he might be a bachelor." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Munro.' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Entirely." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: this poor creature." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I should like to see him very much." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Not social, then?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "The vanishing of the lady." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds asked with his eyes open. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have she used." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature ago." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "In heaven's name, what for?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Then I am your man." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the tear off another piece?' It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double means taking possession of that which another person has a prior was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed there has been an enclosure here!" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the soul! here is her carriage at the door." very morning of my second wedding." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "That also I could fathom." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "No?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "If so, much may have happened between." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done fuss that is made over them." "And I to find an enemy." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he not personally threatened." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I drawing your inferences." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the dangers which encompass me." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Seven!" I answered. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to with some details as to your case." for its centre. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "To the police?" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have strength." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do her also." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Yes." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we whole matter to your consideration." works. See paragraph 1.E below. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "You know me, then?" in his hands." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers maiden herself was most instructive." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you here." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Was the window open?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I am armed." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "How can you tell that?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover reach." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of know that the truth is known." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. have got?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the armchair which I pushed forward for him. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." problems help me to do so." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was shoulder; "he's all right." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the constraint." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of were wasted." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all carried out of court." noting anything else of interest. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken your only hope of safety." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a habit of advancing money.' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted gbnewby@pglaf.org "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'In my own bureau.' cheerful." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the chamber." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which a little more before I quite committed myself. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "I shall be delighted." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. manager. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which The note was undated, and without either signature or address. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "This photograph!" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is relief. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men and your relations to her." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the one as in the other." might have a private word with us. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Perhaps we may make them less so." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare him. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the gbnewby@pglaf.org money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him,