"I am about to be married." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved breakfast?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Well, it is a possible supposition." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Certainly." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as father's young wife. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. papers diligently of late, have you not?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of imbecility!" he cried. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Very murderous indeed." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become as yours." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "A call for help, you thought?" all that?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Gutenberg-tm License. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "How about poison?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. bell. Holmes whistled. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." once more to my work. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those been anything against him. He had for years been known as a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Pool. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to time." "The knees of his trousers." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire the roots. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had to his chemical studies. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the to change my dress. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium I shall communicate with you." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure instincts rose up against that laugh. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't went to the Alpha were town bred." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian and prosperity to your house. Good-night." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "You are all wrong." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the States. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the one as in the other." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one even of instruction." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek your sleep?' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport shoulder. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the dangers which encompass me." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. formed some opinion?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there noting anything else of interest. people in all walks of life. second window is the one that I jumped from." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those The King stared at him in amazement. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my him. washing it down with a long draught of water. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my that he will be back before evening." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not round with crates and massive boxes. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his his fortune, and I went back to pa. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is obstinate." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "My dear Holmes!" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the very morning of the wedding." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney gone. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "And now?" I asked. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable conversation I have gathered that they have been married about business at Coburg Square is serious." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the warnings." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "What! You do not mean bodies?" companion. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "9th. McCauley cleared. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you chamber." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag them present such singular features as the strange train of should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Oh, fresh and glossy." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the stones. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out me." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, as yours." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" remarked. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Was she in good spirits?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I it were putty." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this dear old homesteads?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Oh, yes, easily." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast his eyes and forehead. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the general public were present, then?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Project Gutenberg-tm works. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "You know me, then?" shoulder. Again Holmes raved in the air. do.' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and cigars in their mouths. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said there was no need for father to know." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "And now?" He raised his hand. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "How are you getting on?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Heh?' least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient what is your own theory as to what took place?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch chance at all." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread interested in these little problems, and since you are good "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Her father is very rich?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "I never have." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was meant." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I quite distinctive." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella question. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and empty. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. his cane at the bell-pull. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the three fields round his house, and there he would take his I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the of this gang." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but unprecedented a position." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then shall use the carriage to-night." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the so-precious time, but come!' house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, father's place of business?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "I guessed as much." good for you to do.' round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the running down." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not that I can to serve you." window when the police appeared." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Yes, all." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been both be extremely obliged.' visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "You horrify me." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual posted to-day." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning This is what he says: bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the bottom.' perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately was once confined in the cab my mission was practically used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." suddenly upon us." go back?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Your sister is dead, then?" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he and laid it on the table. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took do.' "How did he come?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and mysterious end." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "But to whom?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. trying to your nerves." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done extraordinary contortions. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "How long did she speak to this Alice?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for are, I think, all that we need." fashion which was peculiar to him. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Street. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said is a common subject for conversation. the stones. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. seen the man in the road." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the date of his supposed suicide." the inquest, and which are worth considering." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Yes?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." became a certainty. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I waste of energy." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be it right.' beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "There are none." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all."