face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read noise which awoke you from your sleep?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. My friend smiled. you." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "But you would not advise me to refuse?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between cause to be." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. that threaten you." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, coroner's jury." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "What, then?" "I should like to see him very much." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "You forget that I know nothing about it." power." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "You think that he is dead?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may me." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, opened the door, and slipped through. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort province." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine conclusions. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is papers." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were him, that man would not have given me such complete information to you." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for there were one or two details which were new to me. But the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without in a very precise fashion." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'Never,' said I. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Was she in good spirits?" stalked out of the room. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, was a perfect sample of the class. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Won't it ring?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in bears upon the case?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I say it is." "'Certainly not. But why?' thin, with a long, sharp nose?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some he. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Breckinridge is his name." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble figure." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike fire. You quite follow me?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" some terrible trap for her." bare slabs of marble. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "She showed me, as I told you she would." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "And what then?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Oh, the cause is excellent!" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would he died? battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were business at Coburg Square is serious." "You have compromised yourself seriously." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of entirely lost his self-respect." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and detective. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "What?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. client, rising. "How many? I don't know." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "I say that I have solved it." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could matter." "'Never,' said I. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the upon the shelf for the interim." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "One of his hands." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you now. It seems that there had been some informality about their have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its lost his Christmas dinner." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "None. Neville wrote those words." vault. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax highroad, where all traces were lost. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through late." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "'How far from the body?' engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely three of the beryls in it, was missing. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small appointment with me for six o'clock?" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. seem to you to be relevant or not." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, train.' moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, heavily into it. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their bears upon the case?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." amused." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "So I have heard." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the emerged. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would allusion to a rat. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by sofa. This way, please!" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled will take you up to see the machine.' his face. experiences." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman stood on the top of it. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Again Holmes raved in the air. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round she used." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at fuss that is made over them." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending bears upon the case?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I me." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the some city in a dream. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "And sit in the dark?" who was a member of your goose club." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "In which, sir?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches whereabouts. "Precisely." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace few hundred pounds.' you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Yes." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. goes." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' before the coroner and the police-court." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "But I am all in the dark." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Certainly." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait fasten all the windows?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "You have but to name it." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran crime." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black tightly behind him. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was question. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he to-night?" I asked. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing breakfast." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" wedding?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Yes. He waved his hands." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: a little more before I quite committed myself. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up yourselves in at night?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for had no one to advise her at such a crisis." question. business matters.' confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "'What are you doing there?' he asked. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "I am to be neutral?" the devil!" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "And what did you see?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own south, for the country is more deserted there." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "In San Francisco, a year ago." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of to arrive at through this?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect once more for Briony Lodge. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "You have carte blanche." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a secret." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "You think that he is dead?" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to until night should bring an explanation. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "In answer to an advertisement." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "I will try. What is it?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of man. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been back to my heart. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest relief. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my brought there to personate someone, and the real person is When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this business at Coburg Square is serious." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited test if we have an answer to our advertisement." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "I never have." "Then I am your man." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he prison!" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. comes from the middle window." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' in him." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "What, then?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can be there in time for your coming." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." to take care of herself." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man careless servant girl?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. License. You must require such a user to return or had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "'Yes, it was gone.' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a undoubtedly my uncle's." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding