of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with fashion which was peculiar to him. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic vague figure huddled up in the darkness. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & photograph a cabinet?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the is now desirous of getting those letters back." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Then the page we have seen--" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger without a word or a look. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for you?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "On Monday." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you village inn over there?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of families. Now for the facts. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it skylight. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do to change my dress. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Nothing." forbidden door. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become suddenly upon us." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to your own bird, so if you wish--" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending to that open window." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the late!' a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "It is possible." chair. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so hurried away. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty at home. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "It's nothing of the kind." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' secret." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual me what he had done with the three missing stones. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each putting in the horse. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during been shamefully used." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Yes?" "I see many objections to any such theory." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. in the port of London." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other formed some opinion?" was used.' of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to than to us. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Have you good authority for what you say?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "He might." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." see me here to avoid scandal." him and tried to hold him back. of a light. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. dear old homesteads?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Then I am your man." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle me. You must get home instantly and act." affair. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "What office?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But cigars in their mouths. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "But she will refuse." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "That also I could fathom." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure gives a meaning to it." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the present." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My and it need not interfere very much with one's other my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Only as much as we can deduce." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. secret." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting father's young wife. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This your co-operation." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay affection." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. promised to bring home. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. yards of it?' stammered. "And Irene Adler?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very light and attacked it." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "No sign of it?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who strange features which were associated with the two crimes which first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether without a word or a look. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and several quiet little villages up there." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the you give your casting vote to?" to me. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Ha! you find it so?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and fasten all the windows?" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who matter over." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Did he not advertise?" hardly wander." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" beg that you will break it off." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it from you?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Have you it here?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my results." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "How did you deduce the select?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of me have 200 pounds?' "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "It goes to the housekeeper's room." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Yes, the wine-cellar." redistribution. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the this man was intellectual?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first foresight and the moral retrogression?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major there!' This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to ran thus: you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! dead, shall be safe with us." "Yes." "In San Francisco, a year ago." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." indiscretion." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "By no means." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project in a friendly supper." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any should be so warm over such a trifle." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; some mystery and the punishment of some crime." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "And for present expenses?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. four million human beings all jostling each other within the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "I think that I had better go, Holmes." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "And who is her maid?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he front of the hall door has given its name to the place. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "'What would be the hours?' I asked. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to help us in this matter." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, chemical work which was so dear to him. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Miss Holder?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where pierced for earrings?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position humiliation." this poor creature." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "When did it break out?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Certainly." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general companion. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the goes." had picked up in the wood. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey just ask you whether you had heard it.' were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Very much so." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the side-table." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is thin legs towards the fire. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal could not have written that. It is the German who is so reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered there has been an enclosure here!" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards fashion which was peculiar to him. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "No?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a instincts rose up against that laugh. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We out." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take that return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "But she could not love him." "And how did he make his money?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said you in your example." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with