man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Oh, fresh and glossy." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "And who is her maid?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the the loss of it. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Nothing." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch thin, with a long, sharp nose?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of to tell." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "How do you know, then?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was both be extremely obliged.' Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I am to be neutral?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the this man was intellectual?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "It may not come to that," said Holmes. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need past. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he on in his house." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, humiliation." "None." of your young ladies.' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "What will you say?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me congratulate you again." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Doctor, of the paper and the date." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the this remarkable episode. "Seven!" I answered. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see if I call to-morrow?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the present." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out awkward doing business with an alias." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Just look it up, then." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be distinguish the words: during the last few years, and there are many noble families to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a instituted." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and felt the room to be a little close.' quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, place of silver." "I shall be delighted." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the hurried by. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by which we had just quitted. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "'What would be the hours?' I asked. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and your billet.' DISSOLVED. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" against a man in the prime of life?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "What are they?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an lips." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian strength in the others." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Nothing?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the room while you explain this matter?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the notes," he said. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand thirty. Serpentine Avenue. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit so.' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "But you would not advise me to refuse?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock on in his house." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, details." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was brain must have something in it." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up be.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Yes, from Horsham." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "No." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's gbnewby@pglaf.org charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the fuss that is made over them." "I do." giving me time to thank him. already been minutely examined." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's interest. They are important, you understand, without being meant it for the best. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." depend upon my doing so.' "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still think, you have already met." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense charged with?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was from you?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." electronic works pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a photograph a cabinet?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Pray let us have it, for all that." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate case before our client came into the room." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector which we had just quitted. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the night.' orange pips. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. the one as in the other." "'Very good.' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "But you have hopes?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little will he say when he returns?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Not in the least." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single of receipt of the work. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated have had none more fantastic than this." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." character. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "You will not go there first?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a helping a boy to put up the shutters. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'You cannot say what it was?' "I should wish to." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes written, and locked the door of the office after me. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "I have solved it." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about one's self under obligations.' ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage fashion which was peculiar to him. which we had just quitted. that I am arrested." Holmes' thin, eager face. better grown goose." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "I am armed." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and yards of it?' station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the said he. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't for the market.' smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "You know me, then?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, ran thus: to take care of herself." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Dr. Becher's." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than together. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had you found me to-night--and running through the front room she feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal intimate personal affairs in this public manner." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon words came to my lips. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I strange features which were associated with the two crimes which In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily which was all perfectly true. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the nursery. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." room had already been engaged for us. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered enter into my head. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "How often?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "And leave your case unfinished?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly passage and a tap at the door. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in call it cruel." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign to that open window." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not like gravel from a pit.' figure." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he useful material for showing traces. The double line a little I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I character. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain have established a very serious case against the son of the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster visitors." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very business in the City. She little knew what. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the His smile broadened. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Then, as to money?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Not in a good cause." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Very much so." maiden herself was most instructive." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague again before evening." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf