eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. national property. I was determined that the law should have its "But his lameness?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill hour." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'What, the red-headed man?' it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did power." "I should wish to." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a remarked. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "What then?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I will do it." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Sutherland?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir did not hear it also.' I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "It is half-past ten now." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of mystery may be cleared along those lines." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the memory. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was use an arc-and-compass breastpin." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Pool. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no six. Come in!" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. there was no need for father to know." "It is his hat." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." unprofitable." "To the police?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall himself to tell his story. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "But she will refuse." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "'Yes, sir.' purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he carpenter." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of lost his Christmas dinner." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do to talk it over. your Highness to the police-station?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose newspaper selections." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and I took the paper from him and read as follows: confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the that?' with the outside air!" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Where did he live, then?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up seem to you to be relevant or not." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to second." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "It certainly sounds feasible." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, certainly do as you advise." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that vanished into the darkness. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a completely overtopped every other consideration that we both if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "And now?" He raised his hand. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Why did you beat the pavement?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'And the work?' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Where, then, is my wife?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the what these perils are?" was already answered. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and coat-tails." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Cross for the Continent." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from useful material for showing traces. The double line a little took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo assist you in forming an opinion." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Again Holmes raved in the air. "That is not always so easy." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up been shamefully used." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." other, as fresh and trim as possible. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' second window is the one that I jumped from." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had populous neighbourhood." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "But how will you look?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Quite so." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. and I shall be with you presently." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "'Why that?' I asks. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned ashen face. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Yes." "My own seal." "Murdered?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "'I shall certainly be there.' was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a very old mansion. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "What do you make of that, Watson?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of walking." skylight. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. McCarthy." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself strong reason behind." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "The vanishing of the lady." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when towards the blaze. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and of." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." investigation." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly have I gained?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the remarked. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. again before evening." Countess of Morcar's?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to where we are going." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got of the efforts of the United States government and of the better lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked where she found matters as described by the last witness. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, with frightened eyes at his accuser. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Frequently." that he has suffered." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the you came in." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. ago." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and official police." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off companion. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and himself to hunt down. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Will you go?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess despair." occupations.' to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent had a long day." "'I am sure that I do not know.' say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. it means?" to take care of herself." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "He said too much." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "What can it mean?" I gasped. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Yes." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is once more for Briony Lodge. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project ways including including checks, online payments and credit card points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the ceiling. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. the south-west, I see." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you you?' Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "There is the writing." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with something of him before." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Yes." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly ill-usage at the hands of fortune. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact made his money." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this awaited us upon the table. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to The King stared at him in amazement. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You remarked. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words directors, with the result that you have seen." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said he died? ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Was there a secret marriage?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Precisely." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "What! You do not mean bodies?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Have you her photograph?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "And when will you call?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must thought that she would have been so carried away." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the window, rose as we entered. the date of his supposed suicide." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the nursery. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "And I." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have During two years I have had three consultations and one small "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I cannot tell." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "He said that you could solve anything." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any October 9, 1890. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Yes. He waved his hands." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She