great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I fashion which was peculiar to him. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." and the church but not where the lady lived." other means.' over here." Leadenhall Street--and--" followed. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived quite distinctive." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "'It is locked up,' I answered. I am not easy in my mind about them." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a details." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "I see no marks." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were my little problems." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it business." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands compunction about shooting them down." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly himself to hunt down. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you breakfast." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "'Certainly,' I answered. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in are, and they are waiting for us." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" at home. despair." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say married her." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather ashen face. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first certainly do as you advise." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "That is possible." footfalls from the street. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, that I am arrested." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "That sounds a little paradoxical." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any go back?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which I approached. held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should which it had come upon my father." residence of the great financier. derbies." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which had a long day." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would It may be so in this case, also." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want possible that we could bring him back to her? it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his that threaten you." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room straighten it?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "My dear Holmes!" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible invisible to me," I remarked. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that means taking possession of that which another person has a prior client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "What I expected to see." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's success. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a fishes. on re-entering her father's house?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our she might be summoned. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are to-morrow." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Witness: Nothing definite. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "My stepfather's business papers." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Surrey." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand through." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "'I shall certainly be there.' "I think it very unlikely." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Precisely." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "If so, much may have happened between." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, pictures, libraries, or plate. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "The landlord of the Alpha." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should infinite languor in his face. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in of fine shops and stately business premises that they really like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. I nodded to show that I had heard. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been back alive. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story stammered. your co-operation." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the my friend's incisive reasoning. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now wanted for ourselves." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there little trying to do so much typewriting?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, tear off another piece?' to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the Red-headed League." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. learned something! Where are the gems?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "I think that I had better go, Holmes." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and be sorry for having acted so harshly." people don't know." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If already been minutely examined." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't were unconscious?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small yourselves in at night?" generous with you in money matters.' hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your murdered man." thirty. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for him and tried to hold him back. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "In which, sir?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "And you thought he was pulled back?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "The Cedars?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "No, my brougham is waiting." "Why, what do you mean?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Then you may entirely rely on me." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave a room. too. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the on in his house." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in written. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I one's self under obligations.' contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "She walked into the breakfast-room." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Precisely so. But how--" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt in his power. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into your most interesting statement." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this against a man in the prime of life?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. standing smiling on the door-step. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. fashion which was peculiar to him. to affect your life." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "I assure you that I am in your hands." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "What then?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "How did you deduce the select?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have your sleep?' And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "There are none." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his very peculiar words of the dying woman?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the together. villagers almost as much as their master. to arrive at through this?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'And what salary do you ask?' Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of my friend's incisive reasoning. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life this unhappy family?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but should be taken.' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a you for a few hours?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a stalked out of the room. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that cigars in their mouths. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "That is possible." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my was shining brightly. drawing your inferences." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, to arrive at through this?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the What do you deduce from it?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I absolutely follow my advice in every respect." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the have been better. It is all right." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. constraint." one's self under obligations.' upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "But you were on a friendly footing?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which later, upon the night of May 2nd." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "I should wish to." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "But she will refuse." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "He said too much." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. as the one I chose?' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I fact, we may call it conclusive." voice. the roots. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "They are typewritten," I remarked. "How many? I don't know." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "A thing like a cleaver," said he. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "So I am. Very much so." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the little opening for the ventilator is." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from again, where I was soon asleep. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I instituted." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so behind me. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the in the dead of the night?' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is to go into your room and bar your shutters?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry go--none." "Absolutely none." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether