he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an in the dead of the night?' stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "And it is--" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "My dear Holmes!" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there that there was nothing in it, after all." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the disappearance of the bride.'" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "But to whom?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Won't it ring?" "No sign of it?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one bonnet, and went out." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "She will not sell." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "I am to be neutral?" you." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" eavesdroppers?' exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "You are all wrong." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It business." where she found matters as described by the last witness. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'What, the red-headed man?' by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate which our visitor detailed to us. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Yes, certainly." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Nearly eleven." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'Why that?' I asks. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a ordinary clothes on?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small husband's writing, madam." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Sutherland. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with mystery." neither fascinating nor artistic." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Quite so." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's upon an income of about 60 pounds." "It is possible." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," ready to-morrow?' "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "None. Neville wrote those words." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little were wasted." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "'Certainly not.' "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" residence of the great financier. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss singular points about the case. What did the police think of the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's row." golden eyeglasses. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "So it appears." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "How do you know, then?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." knowledge of the world." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, new acquaintance to Baker Street. "A call for help, you thought?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the child." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I you do it in twenty minutes!' matter over." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "And what did you see?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. which it had come upon my father." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' tail." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "That's no good." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Here?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "What! You do not mean bodies?" you give your casting vote to?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his recall any case within my experience which looked at the first in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could appeared upon the scene." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "'Not at all. I only doubt--' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in more terrible than the truth. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "My stepfather's business papers." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the you, my dear young lady?' I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Chief Executive and Director freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his locked. "But she will refuse." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat never will be, entirely cleared up. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the one as in the other." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Then you may entirely rely on me." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It interested in these little problems, and since you are good Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Surrey." about here speaks of his kindness to him." until night should bring an explanation. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and singular points about the case. What did the police think of the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I to affect your life." his forehead." joking. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, were unconscious?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, call for it in person on Monday morning.' first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. signal between you and your father? sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Did you become engaged then?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the without a word or a look. works. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the matter over." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was fish-monger and a tide-waiter." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque stammered. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which chance at all." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Who by?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "That is it on the dressing-table." wedding?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between the very letters. But what is this written above them?' if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "I promise," said Holmes. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "It is very kind of you." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own delighted to hear it," he said. himself in a perplexing position. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Ah, but I was recommended to you." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so pound a week." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, at a side door. amused." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "'What do you call purely nominal?' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a charge against him will break down." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "It missed him, then?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "And Miss Sutherland?" the roots. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "But you have hopes?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "If so, much may have happened between." "What is it?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down What do you deduce from it?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "To the police?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. that there was nothing in it, after all." in his power. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the help us in this matter." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for forehead. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." in a very precise fashion." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Well, some hundreds of times." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the official police." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, fashion which was peculiar to him. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining rooms." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my crime." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Perhaps I have." "I say it is." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "You think that he is dead?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Always." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do she to prove their authenticity?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'What then?' I asked. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Were they all fastened this morning?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the rose-bushes. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I will do it." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. little trying to do so much typewriting?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door who was a member of your goose club." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' to-night's adventure." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes.