slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to remarked. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Will you go?" "I think it very unlikely." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "You are hungry," I remarked. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, system of imprisonment?" your co-operation." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "'As governess?' that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or begun to whiten, even as mine has." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 habit of advancing money.' weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Holmes. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." status with the IRS. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as only touch the interest." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Nothing?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, reach." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in papers diligently of late, have you not?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, I leave." "Yes, from Horsham." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could unprecedented a position." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate colour had been driven from his face. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand vault. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, over with notes and figures. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black drove away. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one children over to America with him, so that I found myself without that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "We have tried and failed." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' best detective that ever lived. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "My dear Holmes!" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the have accepted such a situation. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "The rest you will leave in our hands." "What do you make of that, Watson?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We License. You must require such a user to return or trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple present strange and interesting features that it is no easy down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were legal crime." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was things are very often connected not with the larger but with the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "On Monday." tightly behind him. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "I think that it is very probable." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they side. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "What have you done?" asked Holmes. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, with the outside air!" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made asked. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Always." was a perfect sample of the class. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "But how did you gain them?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of of Fenchurch Street." "'Ample.' pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of these bleak autumnal evenings." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "How do you know, then?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "I see many objections to any such theory." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. assist you in forming an opinion." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards these bleak autumnal evenings." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Of Friday, June 19th." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is vague figure huddled up in the darkness. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "It must be recovered." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." face and glided from the room. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Why, it's a dummy," said he. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "'Ten to two.' "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Pray tell us what has happened to you." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Of Friday, June 19th." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a presented more singular features than that which was associated "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me weary and pale-looking. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "I know where it is." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I fled together." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord conversation I have gathered that they have been married about soul! here is her carriage at the door." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may might help us?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend plantation.' "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said appeal." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. fact, we may call it conclusive." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the questionable one." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. morning." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the stones. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering good-night and bustled off upon her way. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "And from a noble client?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a business?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," forbidden door. "I beg pardon." really the only notable feature about the thing." forebodings. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he without success. At last the little money which I had saved began a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other likely to be some crony of the landlady's." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that with frightened eyes at his accuser. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my you, my dear young lady?' or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Yes." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice public press." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may was not a bird to be seen there. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under here." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "That was it, sir." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "What is it, then--a fire?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution served to weaken the effect. south, for the country is more deserted there." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "I say that I have solved it." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Oh, yes, easily." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to must compliment you." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. note?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "But how did you gain them?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." himself. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "What, then?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Not particularly." it. the dangers which encompass me." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms gbnewby@pglaf.org him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him occurred." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are get her out of the way." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered II. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me more solid." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm is," said he presently: almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he drove away. John Swain, of St. Augustine. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Mary, has deserted me." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once that the gas is not laid on in his house?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that his cane at the bell-pull. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "9th. McCauley cleared. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "You did not overhear what they said?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you