double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds congenial hunt. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the events, Mr. Windibank!" power." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "I cannot say that I have." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to think, you have already met." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "And did you observe any change in her then?" little adventures." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and sofa. This way, please!" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "It is no ordinary one." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "This concluded the examination of the witness." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, these bleak autumnal evenings." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer conclusions. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "The Coroner: What do you mean? With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and hour." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a could gather together that I was able to avert another public fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Holmes rather sternly. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. bill, which interests me deeply." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own through." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for was used.' "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "It is his hat." "Well, some hundreds of times." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the lamp. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. we went to search for him, face downward in a little "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "No, finished." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held go back?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently sit on the left-hand side of the driver." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. your room." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram were wasted." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" away into the river." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all upon the shelf for the interim." sound at heart." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Why did you beat the pavement?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "It surprised me." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in this poor creature." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "It is no ordinary one." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Why, what do you mean?" manager. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into less than 26s. 4d. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "To ruin me." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of evidence," I remarked. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong of it with the greatest attention. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "If so, much may have happened between." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in key of the affair now." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally this truth that in these little records of our cases which you hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very light and attacked it." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I was certainly surprised to find you there." entirely devoid of interest." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." was a perfect sample of the class. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well your Highness to the police-station?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with straighten it?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss back to my heart. "But how?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious ran thus: "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway appeal." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a or other trace. But how on earth--" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who writer." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "You have compromised yourself seriously." must compliment you." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a little adventures." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "How can you tell that?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we suspect him." a very grave face. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. been able to understand it, in a very few words. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on several quiet little villages up there." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, address. outsides of the windows. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and thin legs towards the fire. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Nearly eleven." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Game for a morning drive?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the are, and they are waiting for us." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" lips." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis sentimental considerations in the background which would induce outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Oh, the cause is excellent!" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Stoke Moran." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'Never.' we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary sparkled upon his finger. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of is worth.' "You think that he is dead?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "To an end?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was companion imperturbably. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Quite so. She has her freedom." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Then what has happened to him?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am whatever might befall. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has green of the new foliage. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. my former friend and companion. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, unkempt, staring out at me. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the The King stared at him in amazement. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Sutherland?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." them present such singular features as the strange train of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's tightly behind him. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are drawing your inferences." annoyance, but no jest. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, most interesting one." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to conclusions. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my the room while you explain this matter?" "Thank you. And your address?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "In San Francisco, a year ago." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in But Holmes shook his head gravely. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. girl said." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** closely." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all grasp, he hurried from the room. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how visitors." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary disappearance of the bride.'" hardly wander." business?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, to miss it." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty and all of them with the keenest interest. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he delighted to hear it," he said. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "'Certainly not. But why?' brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first said he. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and will he say when he returns?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the salesman. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Lee, in the county of Kent." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that shoulder. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "What, then?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean success. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Holmes. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical companion. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he entirely lost his self-respect." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick charged with?" key turn in the lock." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "You will not go there first?" heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon to affect your life." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that away into the river." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you