"It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in approach us with offers to donate. "Perfectly so." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and criminal. We have already had experience of such." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since you give your casting vote to?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, were unconscious?" window when the police appeared." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found into the bag, and made for the door. least a fellow-countryman. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "What will you say?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in there was no need for father to know." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded in this way: "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Holmes rather sternly. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: new duties?' saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "That is also quite modern," said the lady. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "It is possible." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor again." was used.' "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke if she died from some sudden fright." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the Assizes." "Your sister is dead, then?" not, dad?" she asked. foot. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Then the page we have seen--" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you call for protection in the marriage market, for the present need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I http://www.gutenberg.net tension within him. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Yes." of Mr. Rucastle's." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already writing, and yet I know it well." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. there has been an enclosure here!" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no test if we have an answer to our advertisement." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" the coroner come to?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she to that open window." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Arthur Conan Doyle "'Never.' hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'Entirely.' have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "When did it break out?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door father's young wife. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy unclasping of his long thin hands. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "No, I am descending." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have recover the gem." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made next day. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "A call for help, you thought?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That through." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "I have my revolver," said I. confronted him. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Your presence might be invaluable." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at call the police, let the police find what they can.' "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it noble correspondent could be. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you at home. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Then I do not see the point." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in What do you deduce from it?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." what these perils are?" on in his house." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the status with the IRS. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "'Very good.' mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Yes, the wine-cellar." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "A call for help, you thought?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely chamber." behind me. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You new duties?' "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" back to my heart. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "No." "No." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment I nodded to show that I had heard. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have you, my dear young lady?' be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his unprecedented a position." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a emerged. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he even so self-evident a thing as that." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Because he was handy and would come cheap." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. towards the blaze. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush will take you up to see the machine.' "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "And I to find an enemy." character. grasp, he hurried from the room. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever or in danger--" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a against a man in the prime of life?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I shall be delighted." 'please.'" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Quite so. She has her freedom." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "I am all attention, madam." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church bore every mark of being an average commonplace British signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the stable lane now." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself nights." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I am to be neutral?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "One?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know did not hear it also.' "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Murdered?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "What is it?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up woman who has had her own way to make in the world. south, for the country is more deserted there." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. our word." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "You know me, then?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite directly by questioning you." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," arms and began to sob in a high treble key. fear." "I see no marks." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? question," said Holmes, smiling. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the yourselves in at night?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a in one or two places in England?' my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the wedding?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact be best to do. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this second." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and developed." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, security.' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the bill, which interests me deeply." speckled band?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Thank you. Pray proceed." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the general public were present, then?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. had a long day." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small where we are going." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window could go. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Yes." appeal." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "I will try. What is it?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are use an arc-and-compass breastpin." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, foresight and the moral retrogression?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already suddenly upon us." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a bonnet, and went out." affection." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness chance." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "It is possible." mysterious end." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building would then never go into court at all." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace distinguish the words: bill, which interests me deeply." "So it appears." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my During two years I have had three consultations and one small useful material for showing traces. The double line a little into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' that, and I came down." and a shock of very red hair. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. hands. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Where does the thing come from?' ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest forebodings. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "What have you done?" asked Holmes. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Was she in good spirits?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had mystery!" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, four million human beings all jostling each other within the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has here." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." unkempt, staring out at me. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I,