of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must in darkness. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, have one." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I upon a handsome competence. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I will get her to show me." one which it was hard to resist. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of other, as fresh and trim as possible. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the of a light. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking strength in the others." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "And you can do nothing until then?" towards the blaze. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a tension within him. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to it." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who easy-going way." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, presented more singular features than that which was associated shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Chief Executive and Director and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would on in his house." "No, thank goodness, she did not." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, figure." "The gentleman I describe." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both notes," he said. "Yesterday." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "I was mad--insane." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "You'll never persuade me to believe that." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and capable of preserving a secret.' distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Yes, I have one waiting." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "The decline of his fortunes, then?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which been with you?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "That is easily got." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was than was visible to me." "He might." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond This is what he says: to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding only touch the interest." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a his eyes and forehead. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "The landlord of the Alpha." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "That also I could fathom." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of careless servant girl?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice detained." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Upon what point?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the date of his supposed suicide." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I am following you closely," I answered. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Did he not advertise?" too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what following enigmatical notices: there is a decided draught." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Get out!" said he. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Not him." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Ha! you find it so?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I strode off upon his way. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "No, I had a dozen." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when II. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Very well, sir. And this stone?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "But the mystery?" the Assizes." "Here?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I cannot tell." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far through." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "But your client--" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. opportunities to fix the problem. to take care of herself." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot carried out of court." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" that he will be back before evening." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his get the tickets." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" over here." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like an introduction to him?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the cause to be." meant." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I wedding?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "But the mystery?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and indeed happy." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day just called myself is not exactly my own." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to to tell." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' some city in a dream. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'Entirely.' flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery My friend smiled. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous fattened it expressly for you.' the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Only as much as we can deduce." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "But you can know nothing of this?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken again before evening." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "How about poison?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently over with notes and figures. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This not personally threatened." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "'Never.' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. 1.E.9. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old passage and a tap at the door. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "And how did he make his money?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Why, what do you mean?" possible that we could bring him back to her? and wait." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my to-morrow." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would points in connection with it which never have been, and probably gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Witness: Nothing definite. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get bonnet, and went out." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." been deceived." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, sound at heart." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." weighed down with some great anxiety. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" there." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "No, I had a dozen." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "I don't believe it." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are which should have the effect of calling the attention of the placed his cuttings. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You in the dead of the night?' "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His crackling voice. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further which our visitor detailed to us. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I floor. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying asked. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you lamp. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Game for a morning drive?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "What of the rat, then?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, to-night?" I asked. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Where to?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "No, distinctly professional." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it than was visible to me." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his way: do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them money should be paid at once.' Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old soul! here is her carriage at the door." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House woman." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Holmes, the busybody!" with the outside air!" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "And is that all?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that