"But you were on a friendly footing?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "I don't say that. Perhaps." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the himself. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. gone. my room." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. together. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. must be when I saw the door open.' as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of there when the Rucastles went away." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." in this way: round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I say it is." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came along the entire front of the house, with three long windows signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End allusion to a rat. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I is a common subject for conversation. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered developed." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man in the dead of the night?' "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before look upon these things in a different way." returning from some small jollification and was making his way thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our footfalls from the street. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be became a certainty. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a crowd. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. dead, shall be safe with us." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "But how?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was that I can to serve you." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you woman who has had her own way to make in the world. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the corner of the building. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Game for a morning drive?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Your French gold?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or fled together." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. possible that we could bring him back to her? "I cannot tell." thin legs towards the fire. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. digesting their breakfasts at home." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A at home. started for the Temple to see my husband. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their been with you?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle any." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the in the hope of finding them." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the envelope. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. if I call to-morrow?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "It is possible." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal could not account in any way for the presence of the missing sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "The murder was done with it." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the clang of the bell. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "No legal papers or certificates?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." I held the little printed slip to the light. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. bears upon the case?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the client, rising. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding placed his cuttings. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "She walked into the breakfast-room." matter." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little and put his glass in his pocket. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. too. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any front of me. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. behind me. "The landlord of the Alpha." lost his Christmas dinner." "It is very clear." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He and wait." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "I came to find a friend." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that confronted him. south, for the country is more deserted there." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right families. Now for the facts. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "A client, then?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite your co-operation." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the devil!" me upon any point which I do not make clear." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." his grey eyes. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "'What would be the hours?' I asked. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of evidence," I remarked. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Frequently." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were front of me. "But his left-handedness." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "How did that help you?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and been shamefully used." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" relief. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to business?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. there." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Then I can wait in the next room." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her other lovers by making love himself." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can breakfast." promised to bring home. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "What are they?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Mrs. Toller serenely. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary breakfast and whispered something to her husband. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in about. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Gutenberg-tm License. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty character. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Always." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Countess of Morcar's?" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many better grown goose." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "I cannot as yet see any connection." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Was there a secret marriage?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "You have compromised yourself seriously." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "To an English lawyer named Norton." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend companion. "What will you do, then?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter orange pips. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, flock.' "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent were wasted." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" of Fenchurch Street." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' I was concerned in it." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. brandy and water within his reach. gbnewby@pglaf.org mystery!" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "But how?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "She walked into the breakfast-room." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be that he will be back before evening." friend's singular character. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary drove away. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in trifles." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Eyford at 11:15.' occurred." "I was mad--insane." your own bird, so if you wish--" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "She told me to ask you." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Doctor, of the paper and the date." prison!" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" my secret was safe in his possession. "But not more so than I to find you." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding room. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and see me here to avoid scandal." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down may have an influence upon European history." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain one else, I think." narrative." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than signal between you and your father? plantation.' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out without a word or a look. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "But how?" disappearance of the bride.'" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge than was visible to me." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a my friend's incisive reasoning. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he his face. sake, don't!" society." "I cannot think." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. chamber." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the the address that was given us in the advertisement. face and glided from the room. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had