into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his help us in this matter." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Watson," he said cordially. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew death." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "How about poison?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is correct than the official force." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "She showed me, as I told you she would." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his could not account in any way for the presence of the missing fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "What, then?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Where does the thing come from?' "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It about. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." certainly do as you advise." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when door?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. over here." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, papers." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Yes?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "'Ten to two.' 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed three of the beryls in it, was missing. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they late!' "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Pray tell us what has happened to you." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, father's young wife. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; three fields round his house, and there he would take his Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Pray do so." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "I would pay ten." never will be, entirely cleared up. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon been shamefully used." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who his face which made him a very different person to the round, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we there has been an enclosure here!" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his off." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been to that open window." "Where did he live, then?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Holmes' face clouded over. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Yes, all." whereabouts. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'Certainly not. But why?' of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being that you can jump it.' seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the back to my heart. noting anything else of interest. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his noble correspondent could be. "And how did he make his money?" charge against him will break down." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest think that any burglar could have done. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands upon the white wrist. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, off." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He least a fellow-countryman. thought that she would have been so carried away." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Yes." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "No, I am descending." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor bearing upon the case." digesting their breakfasts at home." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did gives a meaning to it." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of some water from a caraffe. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is again, where I was soon asleep. said I. not personally threatened." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Then you may entirely rely on me." young Openshaw's." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Henry Baker is a member." "That is easily got." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'I shall certainly be there.' walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with that I may have something better before very many minutes are most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman here." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had events, Mr. Windibank!" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; past. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Witness: Nothing definite. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Eyford at 11:15.' Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "'I shall certainly be there.' "And how?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it was not a bird to be seen there. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "How can you tell that?" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Not I." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Then, as to money?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'Where to?' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, felt?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been next day. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential gbnewby@pglaf.org landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It go back?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed were wasted." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather to Leatherhead. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you had a long day." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Where did he live, then?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Yes?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Yes." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Was your sister dressed?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a business at Coburg Square is serious." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, opened the door, and slipped through. "And why?" said he. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days girl said." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even colour had been driven from his face. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." putting in the horse. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I will, Miss Turner." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "What then?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Oh, fresh and glossy." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of you for a few hours?" "There are none." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "One?" with you?" here and I will read it to you: ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." records." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': ran thus: himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the little opening for the ventilator is." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'Yes, I promise.' lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "And you thought he was pulled back?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps been deceived." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "That was it, sir." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but of the efforts of the United States government and of the better came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open and that he would see to anything that turned up. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the speckled band?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all I nodded again. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "At the wedding breakfast." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of at once, for I have only half an hour." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his matter." annoyance, but no jest. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "'Certainly,' I answered. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "In the cells." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have room?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "I should be immensely obliged to you." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to this unhappy family?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not