convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "And how have you succeeded?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I will get her to show me." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent even of instruction." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, bird of prey. of the way of danger. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time open." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who never came back." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or knowledge of the world." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "When did she vanish, then?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "When did it break out?" me have 200 pounds?' job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that never to learn it at all." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Nothing?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes to me. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a true." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There 'I should be able to look after that for you.' words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of just called myself is not exactly my own." the bed, and you in that chair." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, him, that man would not have given me such complete information insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in this unhappy family?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came later, upon the night of May 2nd." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "I cannot imagine." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "To an end?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have over here." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs hour." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, closely." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Yes, sir." the general public were present, then?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Was your sister dressed?" present." "Not in a good cause." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. man. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. his wife has ceased to love him." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "But it has twice been burgled." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "How are you getting on?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler do.' recover the gem." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray points in connection with it which never have been, and probably returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "A client, then?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my photograph a cabinet?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "So I am. Very much so." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had off." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the direction." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a if I call to-morrow?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "How did that help you?" Holmes. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from writing, and yet I know it well." long narrative. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I should wish to." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" 11:15.' approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped and the colonel ushered me in. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my do you make of it all?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "My opinion is in no way altered." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Precisely." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "9th. McCauley cleared. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to been anything against him. He had for years been known as a however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for is four-and-twenty." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." meanly of me." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Game for a morning drive?" feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." public press." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, have an American origin." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "You are all wrong." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were status with the IRS. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a nonsense.' "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one my little problems." "Never." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Yes, there are nearly always some there." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson feature." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to without a word or a look. "Yes, certainly." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "The decline of his fortunes, then?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The thought that she would have been so carried away." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, bird I ate is country bred." habit of advancing money.' "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Not I." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and breakfast." his forehead." vault. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "'What do you call purely nominal?' at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before directors, with the result that you have seen." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "I say that I have solved it." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Imitated." "But of what society?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Yes, it was twisted." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "I have a cab outside." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend up this clue while it is still hot." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "'And the work?' connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'I have already given you my word.' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the coronet in his hands?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. fashion which was peculiar to him. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "And why in hopes?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more how narrow had been my escape. him. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that highroad, where all traces were lost. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the night.' waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for appeared upon the scene." ceremony." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole experiences." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "The King of Scandinavia." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." some terrible trap for her." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very bachelor.' years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of girl said." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate strength." "It missed him, then?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening orange pips. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to assist you in forming an opinion." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "It is very kind of you." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the visitors." whole matter to your consideration." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and himself in a perplexing position. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his suggested at once that there must be a communication between the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And next day. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of train.' which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the trying to your nerves." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A pound a week." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but easy-going way." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." my former friend and companion. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small dear old homesteads?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the room while you explain this matter?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'Ten to two.' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Street. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the running down." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "No good news?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the loss of it. 11:15.' "Then how many are there?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Yes, sir." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the child." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. a suggestive one." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love always that they were such commands as a lady might with already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "'And the work?' of it with the greatest attention. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "It goes to the housekeeper's room." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which all?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." status with the IRS. round and wave him away like that.' as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had that before taking the final step I should like to submit the fait accompli?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Was she in good spirits?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "You have a clue?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as shag which I had seen upon the previous night. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Count Von Kramm." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's which was all perfectly true. you in your example." round and wave him away like that.' hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. fattened it expressly for you.' dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's certainly do as you advise." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can recall any case within my experience which looked at the first safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "That is it on the dressing-table." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of handed it to him. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in both be extremely obliged.' me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Yes, they were peculiar boots." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "You have the photograph?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our nonsense.' month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the matter?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "You did not overhear what they said?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does outside. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had