"A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Yes." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide look upon these things in a different way." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Deserted you?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "What?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue trifles." "What steps will you take?" I asked. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon likely to be some crony of the landlady's." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." morning." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "I say that I have solved it." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "We must sit without light. He would see it through the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "It goes to the housekeeper's room." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "That is not always so easy." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his dates and names. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "'Where could I find him?' into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. an introduction to him?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information "And how have you succeeded?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "That sounds a little paradoxical." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Then he might have called to you?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped writers could invent nothing more crude." Dr. Gregory B. Newby mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'There is a drive, then?' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." within hail.' "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were fact, we may call it conclusive." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay so far?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded carried out of court." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "It is his hat." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as crackling voice. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the figure." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." intrusion of other matters." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just someone who had been in Australia." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "We must sit without light. He would see it through the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand he died? "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, flock.' enough to aid us in our search." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "No sign of it?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the respectable self." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "A greater distance to travel." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me made his money." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which conceal it?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the and the church but not where the lady lived." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "I should wish to." see me here to avoid scandal." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident least a most suspicious remark." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see mystery." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a character. closing the door. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Eh? What was that?" "'Entirely.' clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "And the murderer?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is roused himself from his reverie. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "No." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "It missed him, then?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already our word." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "What will you say?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Yes?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "'I shall certainly be there.' deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the and glanced through. future lives." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about conceal it?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Were they all fastened this morning?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "So it appears." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his prove to be little relation between the different incidents of galvanised. the very morning of the wedding." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I where she found matters as described by the last witness. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "You horrify me." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it chance." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the to-night." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Eh? What was that?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one was a loud and authoritative tap. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Yes." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was we went to search for him, face downward in a little fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts his fortune, and I went back to pa. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he like that before?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I do." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not over with notes and figures. "My dear Holmes!" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Murdered?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "But what will you do?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be assist you in forming an opinion." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I prepare for the new role I have to play." colonel looking down at me. forecastle of an emigrant ship. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small down from London to inquire more deeply into it." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Not I." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "I say it is." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "No, thank goodness, she did not." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Of what?" interests were the same as his." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Two days later this same performance was gone through under knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. forbidden door. them?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' himself to tell his story. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it You can understand that this register and diary may implicate to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the window when the police appeared." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more him." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in upon a handsome competence. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. investigation." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your yards of it?' swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "How can you tell that?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Nothing." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "None." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Literary Archive Foundation commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "In the cells." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the so-precious time, but come!' in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural beg that you will break it off." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his copied or distributed: list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there What do you deduce from it?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable everything which you would wish to know." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Dark enough and sinister enough." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you of his shoulders. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Certainly, madam." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you have got?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built my special province." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" instincts rose up against that laugh. may have an influence upon European history." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called highroad, where all traces were lost. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the compunction about shooting them down." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "You are all wrong." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "No, I think that I'll take it." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible upon the white wrist. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a to go into your room and bar your shutters?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered more solid." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for question you as to those details which seem to me to be most some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "I cannot imagine." memory. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "One of his hands." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, face and glided from the room. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my forbidden door. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' key turn in the lock." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's fattened it expressly for you.' somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Mary, has deserted me." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the