that he has suffered." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the his huge brown hands. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "She showed me, as I told you she would." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time examine." stalked out of the room. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "It is no ordinary one." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the side-table." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "How many? I don't know." "I am to be neutral?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" back to my heart. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You examine." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Very truly yours, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 client, rising. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has good for you to do.' no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "The King of Scandinavia." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'And what are they worth?' I asked. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining whatever might befall. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort vault. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it companion. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "I have come for advice." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the seen the man in the road." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it when your master had gone out." several quiet little villages up there." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll ordinary clothes on?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come without a word or a look. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, easy-going way." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have skylight. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of have got?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Why did you beat the pavement?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Clair, of Lee." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he present strange and interesting features that it is no easy does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to 11:15.' "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "I am still in the dark." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Edgeware Road. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It where we are going." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able rose-bushes. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and one which it was hard to resist. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project pictures, libraries, or plate. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Surrey." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered what these perils are?" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at own family. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name detective. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock that there was nothing in it, after all." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so unprofitable." the address that was given us in the advertisement. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face carriage. It was a chestnut." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "It is his hat." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Pray tell us what has happened to you." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I think that I had better go, Holmes." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Witness: It was. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be you, my dear young lady?' He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the as yours." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. three fields round his house, and there he would take his We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore back alive. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "But she could not love him." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the King without delay." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the bed, and you in that chair." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he have an American origin." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at writer." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "ARAT," I read. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "I have hopes." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Yes. He waved his hands." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am my little problems." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "What! a murderous attack?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the roots. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all it." here." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw From what you have told me I think that it is possible that take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and nothing with him." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to speckled band?" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the of your young ladies.' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman was shining brightly. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and door?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "This photograph!" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden breakfast." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it lectures into a series of tales." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "'About the same.' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "That also I could fathom." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I cannot tell." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it paper in the air. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "How can you tell that?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Stolen." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated said he at last. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it done what I asked you, Jones?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the off." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. even so self-evident a thing as that." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "No, my brougham is waiting." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very again before evening." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the address that was given us in the advertisement. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes little adventures." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and felt the room to be a little close.' I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "You have but to name it." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "How often?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a with some details as to your case." business?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Seven!" I answered. is worth.' the south-west, I see." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Holmes, the busybody!" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Then what has happened to him?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put it means?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right opened a pocket-book and took out a note. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** hand, madam?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a where she found matters as described by the last witness. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So dead, shall be safe with us." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He one which it was hard to resist. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "I cannot tell." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the coronet in his hand?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might waste of energy." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Then I am your man." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "What I expected to see." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "And is that all?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there he died? creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey furiously. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a could not have written that. It is the German who is so delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a which it had come upon my father." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened this unhappy family?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. used to be." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Very much so." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried discontent upon his features. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "What shall I do?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a