the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Count Von Kramm." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to bell. Holmes whistled. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Surrey." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. gone. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Yes, certainly." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, one of the states of the Union." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my point our research must commence, and we will begin it by beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing searched, without anything being found which could incriminate facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "You did not overhear what they said?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "I warn you that they are very incomplete." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, business." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "But she will refuse." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. cigars in their mouths. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out during that time.' of them has the shutters up.' "I am about to be married." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Street. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "'Is purely nominal.' after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "No more words. Get out!" his knees, staring into the fire. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "It surprised me." them present such singular features as the strange train of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I was sure that I might rely on you." giving me time to thank him. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "No." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation shaken than I had ever seen him. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "ARAT," I read. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter floor. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until it." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness McCarthy's innocence. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" figure." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman it means?" habit of advancing money.' Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. you." business matters.' better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "He slept on the premises." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful husband's writing, madam." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now public press." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Holmes." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. one of them." "Frequently." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down writers could invent nothing more crude." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Yes. He waved his hands." beyond words. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. redistribution. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in me. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a said I. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but pity, because in other respects you would really have done very earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to cause to be." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "And that is--" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual him!" "Perhaps we may make them less so." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "'Quite sure, dad.' "I think that it is very probable." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see God! What an exposure! What can I do?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. had formerly been in part my own. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, instituted." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle window when the police appeared." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the becomes even more simple." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? visitors." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' come either from the window or the door. My attention was his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "It is true that I have been generally successful." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'Yes.' her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the when your master had gone out." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Clair, of Lee." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, spare." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the inquest, and which are worth considering." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK never to learn it at all." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' straighten it?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the in a friendly supper." matter over." of the way of danger. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told of Fenchurch Street." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "That is not always so easy." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything John Swain, of St. Augustine. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "You think that he is dead?" in a very precise fashion." that you can jump it.' kind enough to tell me what I should do." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I in this note: upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is mysterious business." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Where to?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so relation between them, and what the object of his repeated As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon is now desirous of getting those letters back." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. front of me. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All upon the white wrist. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which note?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Nothing." me. You must get home instantly and act." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Frequently." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. used to be." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "No legal papers or certificates?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "But of what society?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand It was close upon four before the door opened, and a one which it was hard to resist. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Countess of Morcar's?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Was there a secret marriage?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to very peculiar words of the dying woman?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, http://www.gutenberg.net "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the morning and make my own way in the world.' than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." my former friend and companion. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "I see many objections to any such theory." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' politicians who had been sent down from the North. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man would apply.' passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united this Miss Turner." "The best possible." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears this truth that in these little records of our cases which you to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Breckinridge is his name." points to suicide?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be papers diligently of late, have you not?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I will, Miss Turner." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil note?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is redistribution. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you do you make of it all?" discontent upon his features. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. more solid." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "You are hungry," I remarked. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry sufficient punishment." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just me. You must get home instantly and act." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you simple cases which are so extremely difficult." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "But what is it you wish?" "You will not go there first?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my point our research must commence, and we will begin it by my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in approach us with offers to donate. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many are, I think, all that we need." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. chill to my heart. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "And I to find an enemy." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very may never be exposed to such a temptation." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "It came here." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "None. Neville wrote those words." "What do you mean?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth delirious. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Not in the least." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "I think that I had better go, Holmes." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, clanging. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked chambers. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. gives a meaning to it." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about