on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the do." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of empty. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It a very grave face. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," back to my heart. him!" "You were travelling in the States?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Did you become engaged then?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. minor matters until to-morrow." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try considering the formidable letters which were received by himself pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. people in all walks of life. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Ah!" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. remarked. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" leaning back in his chair. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was chemical work which was so dear to him. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources my former friend and companion. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "We must have a cab." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I cannot tell." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Stoke Moran." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the we went to search for him, face downward in a little Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. article?" and wait." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two any more." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from power." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of leave you to your papers for a little." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Whose house is it?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a do.' were unconscious?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Texas, I think." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." himself. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief be best to do. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." in my life." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I voice. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of it." His smile broadened. "Seven!" I answered. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. your own bird, so if you wish--" "Was the window open?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited key of the affair now." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "To the police?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** of it with the greatest attention. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "No sign of it?" "I would pay ten." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the before, for it was considerably after midnight. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger sofa. This way, please!" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be hands. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, man. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me you do it in twenty minutes!' answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "But it has twice been burgled." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me enough to aid us in our search." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Did your wife hear all this?" until night should bring an explanation. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always opened a pocket-book and took out a note. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "To the police?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "And on what day did he meet his death?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back hurried by. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. colonel looking down at me. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "No." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "At what time?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it peculiar to him. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide from the brougham. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "What then?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Then, as to money?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square a good hundred miles off by now." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few think that any burglar could have done. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. companion imperturbably. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is to-night's adventure." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, think that any burglar could have done. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Yes." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there derbies." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Not I." of campaign. "I think that it is very probable." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. lectures into a series of tales." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past appointment with me for six o'clock?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Witness: Nothing definite. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "What office?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window tightly behind him. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. to-morrow." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and father's place of business?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough recover the gem." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you them?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp of Fenchurch Street." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "But not more so than I to find you." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the have got?" "'As governess?' moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Did he not advertise?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each standing smiling on the door-step. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems emerged. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, once more to my work. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A your Highness to the police-station?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution fluttered off among the others. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his me. You must get home instantly and act." unprecedented a position." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I shall be delighted." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined threw himself down with his face to the pillow. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric occupations.' pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek have been better. It is all right." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide she to prove their authenticity?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "And leave your case unfinished?" was feeling which was the fattest.' man. of the one which your family is now devouring." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Yes, the wine-cellar." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "'Where could I find him?' papers." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey character. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the to some other building. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his opened the door, and slipped through. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the assist you in forming an opinion." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "And how have you succeeded?" married her." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and served to weaken the effect. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Witness: I must still refuse. think you a quite exceptional woman." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. was shining brightly. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "It was an hour's good drive." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Indeed! Whose, then?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum your sleep?' Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism father's place of business?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never stood on the top of it. companion imperturbably. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the purpose of examination. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any conduct the inquiry." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, bill, which interests me deeply." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Then you may be so with me." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the coronet at all injured?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the address that was given us in the advertisement. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "But how did you gain them?" "Was he the only applicant?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its man. I know him from the photograph." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were of note-paper. It read in this fashion: aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I have my revolver," said I. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I highly," said Holmes. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Did your wife hear all this?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which sofa. This way, please!" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the towards the blaze. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith second window is the one that I jumped from." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Mary, has deserted me." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by to tackle the facts." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be along the entire front of the house, with three long windows rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were obstinate." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "And Irene Adler?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "And is that all?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The man. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray cigar and let me expound." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than was not a bird to be seen there. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and any little problem which you may submit to me." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination come either from the window or the door. My attention was and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one."