Holmes rather sternly. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "You horrify me." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the works. See paragraph 1.E below. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "'I have already given you my word.' 1.F. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "And now?" He raised his hand. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which light and attacked it." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it 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 manager. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus off." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that round with crates and massive boxes. front of me. "Very much so." "At what time?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "'Is purely nominal.' "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet than was visible to me." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Where did you address your letters, then?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age him and tried to hold him back. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned outbreak?" him to go away.' interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish God! What an exposure! What can I do?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age our word." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked bedroom door." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during you." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "'Yes, I promise.' advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Leadenhall Street--and--" allusion to a rat. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice You can understand that this register and diary may implicate dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began nights." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less case-book, which he consulted. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "On your arm?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work him, that man would not have given me such complete information computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us your room." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in have got?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. my little problems." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "I see no marks." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through such person." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "I shall most certainly do so." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself not as remarkable as your advertisement." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "'In my own bureau.' to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. which was all perfectly true. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this my friend's incisive reasoning. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But she might be summoned. shoulder. "Not particularly." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the coronet in his hand?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner sneer upon his pale face. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Certainly." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "That is possible." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Yes, from Horsham." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." that threaten you." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Absolutely?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "'As governess?' "So it appears." Chief Executive and Director and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Where did you address your letters, then?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to tell me that you intended to go into harness." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the them, and came down just as you departed. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "But how?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "But I am all in the dark." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the bed, and you in that chair." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "My last client of the sort was a king." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else seen the man in the road." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to galvanised. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon even of instruction." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all noting anything else of interest. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with photograph a cabinet?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery a room. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the coroner come to?" waste of energy." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your himself. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "No. What a strange idea!" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Precisely." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so fled together." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Very truly yours, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step you in yours." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "To an end?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," miles off. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried annoyance, but no jest. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Yes." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. horse could go." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I way in." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "But what is it you wish?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two amused." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Then I shall certainly come." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H putting in the horse. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that individual and becomes the badge of a society." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'Tell me all about it,' said I. said I. or in danger--" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Just look it up, then." "And I say east," said my patient. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'I shall certainly be there.' the general public were present, then?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be and that he would see to anything that turned up. I shall continue with my miserable story. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I threw himself down with his face to the pillow. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "He might." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "My dear Holmes!" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Yes, sir." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and asked. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. your troubles." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "It is very kind of you." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the inner apartment." the morning and make my own way in the world.' shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Tired-looking or fresh?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still out." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "'Never.' plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Were they all fastened this morning?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "So I am. Very much so." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "He slept on the premises." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present over his head with a sweet womanly caress. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Ample." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at other lovers by making love himself." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared his eyes and forehead. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while you." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress his eyes and forehead. Dr. Gregory B. Newby were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, and that he would see to anything that turned up. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a questionable one." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Dirty?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my least a fellow-countryman. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an empty. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small is four-and-twenty." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more appeared upon the scene." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "If so, much may have happened between." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and my former friend and companion. the very morning of the wedding." himself to tell his story. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'I am sure that I do not know.' fattened it expressly for you.' our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the evidence," I remarked. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us congratulate you again." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "My stepfather's business papers." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert the matter." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'As governess?' you in your example." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from sound at heart." mystery!" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, upon a handsome competence. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "And what did you see?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. sufficient punishment." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning really the only notable feature about the thing." "The vanishing of the lady." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed populous neighbourhood." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Yes." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE go back?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came had formerly been in part my own. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "A client, then?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Countess of Morcar's?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a to-night?" I asked. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered dead, shall be safe with us."