*** START: FULL LICENSE *** carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "You have a clue?" friends, not even his own brother. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has been." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself affection." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was name is different." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A corner of the building. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a power." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'What would be the hours?' I asked. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm place no limit on the sum I may draw." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of place of silver." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week of a light. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour our word." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better had picked up in the wood. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me unprofitable." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all which our visitor detailed to us. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with problems help me to do so." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all he. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." to talk it over. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "At half-wages, in fact." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had and your relations to her." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "That you are never beaten." existence." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with promised to bring home. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Holmes rather sternly. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we strange features which were associated with the two crimes which elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried then?" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a you." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. chambers. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found flock.' unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, a suggestive one." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most just called myself is not exactly my own." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the III. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer was not a bird to be seen there. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit to his chemical studies. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence prisoner's face. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "I beg pardon." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship easy-going way." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! not fit the lock." that I can to serve you." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. once more for Briony Lodge. delighted to hear it," he said. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be legal crime." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it you found me to-night--and running through the front room she aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich comes from the middle window." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the begun to whiten, even as mine has." hard-headed British jury." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through not fit the lock." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly God! What an exposure! What can I do?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love whatever might befall. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, read it out to me." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm happened." leaning back in his chair. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not in him." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be few hundred pounds.' size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have affection." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing what is your own theory as to what took place?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with hard-headed British jury." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight comes from the middle window." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I don't believe it." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of within hail.' I shall communicate with you." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'Which dealer's?' "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five him. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "What steps will you take?" I asked. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern the devil!" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" redistribution. whatever might befall. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the fatally injured? "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of confronted him. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "No, my brougham is waiting." maid will bring up your coffee." tear off another piece?' strong and stiff." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I business matters.' forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the loss of it. conceal it?" "I see no marks." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If criminal. We have already had experience of such." persecution?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Always." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "No." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my me." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "But who is he?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Why, what do you mean?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all everything which you would wish to know." "Then, how do you know?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will meant." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "I have a cab outside." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "But you have hopes?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "And why in hopes?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "That also I could fathom." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds dramatic, in fact." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all papers diligently of late, have you not?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether do.' instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will opened a pocket-book and took out a note. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. quick march!" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "But his left-handedness." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "My opinion is in no way altered." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you situation." or other trace. But how on earth--" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Were they all fastened this morning?" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in do." derbies." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I should like to see him very much." "None." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "In San Francisco, a year ago." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez man. "What of the rat, then?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet only touch the interest." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that least a most suspicious remark." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed perplexity from it to my illustrious client. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the to take care of herself." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from these bleak autumnal evenings." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been him, that man would not have given me such complete information works. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared felt?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Heh?' thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, there in twenty minutes." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and wedding?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "And is that all?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped becomes even more simple." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and all-comprehensive glances. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you impression behind it as though a window had gently closed seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by foot. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, II. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing careless servant girl?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "No more words. Get out!" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by was a loud and authoritative tap. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have once more. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself signal between you and your father? Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I cannot imagine." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. at once, for I have only half an hour." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." my former friend and companion. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'Very good.' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how national property. I was determined that the law should have its "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "One horse?" interjected Holmes. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy too. married her." kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His into her hand at the door and which lured her within their who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "My dear Holmes!" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "'I am sure that I do not know.' the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly The police have openly confessed that they can at present make answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so."