"This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong lips." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. http://gutenberg.net/license). What do you deduce from it?" "Then you may be so with me." lips." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange washing it down with a long draught of water. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always it means?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "No, I am descending." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Very murderous indeed." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Who was the criminal, then?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Precisely." upon the white wrist. "Could he throw no light?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to nothing with him." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit lumber-room." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Which are?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an and the church but not where the lady lived." "'Quite sure, dad.' pound a week." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no look upon these things in a different way." into the room. was used.' could gather together that I was able to avert another public see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more asked with his eyes open. "And how did you verify them?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were at my own good fortune. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Nothing." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I will try. What is it?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Chief Executive and Director Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I arrangements." of Fenchurch Street." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "One of the highest in England." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael a good hundred miles off by now." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "But she will refuse." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy as noiselessly as she had come. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty roused himself from his reverie. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. this poor creature." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a so far?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I think that he is innocent?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "But how could you guess what the motive was?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "And I." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Stoke Moran." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' it with his own hands." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Holmes' thin, eager face. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Stolen." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." said I. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now anything to do with the matter?" careless servant girl?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years entirely devoid of interest." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready the stones. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should papers on the sundial.'" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of is now desirous of getting those letters back." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and call you and give you the chance." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew stammered. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present cup of tea. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "My opinion is in no way altered." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, to talk it over. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "I have solved it." do you make of it all?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "How about poison?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "What will you do, then?" "I am to be neutral?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to before the coroner and the police-court." the loss of it. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Yes." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. arrangements." to take care of herself." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Not yet." "We have tried and failed." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "And how in the world did you find them?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the in darkness. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Yes." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a quite distinctive." lost his Christmas dinner." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "You horrify me." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. His smile broadened. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to overpowering excitement and concern. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon you?' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Yes, from Horsham." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. his huge brown hands. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I he. "Witness: I must still refuse. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "There is the writing." "'A dozen yards or so.' bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my noting anything else of interest. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "What office?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the it." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." interests were the same as his." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'In my own bureau.' "Not in a good cause." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the to have been novel and of interest." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the memory. "Yes." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "I am in hopes that she does." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the ceiling. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might little trying to do so much typewriting?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have relation between them, and what the object of his repeated sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," address. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant and all of them with the keenest interest. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of placed his cuttings. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, obstinate." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge shadow pass over his face as I spoke. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Do you know him?" carriage. It was a chestnut." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "I am about to be married." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Stolen, then." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark voice, changing her seat as requested. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "What do you make of that, Watson?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, October 9, 1890. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line something of him before." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "'I have already given you my word.' master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him any." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I have a cab outside." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Where did you address your letters, then?" "You horrify me." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my fattened it expressly for you.' "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow dear old homesteads?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "The Cedars?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my horse could go." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Where is it, then?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and crowd. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Yes." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. had picked up in the wood. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the kind enough to tell me what I should do." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies investigation." to you." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Serpentine Avenue. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I bearing upon the case." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off your billet.'