collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of fatally injured? "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Arthur Conan Doyle halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say instincts rose up against that laugh. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I cannot imagine." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." memory. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while as he remarks, very much against the son." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike for its centre. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of shaken than I had ever seen him. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "But he might be a bachelor." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian and that he would see to anything that turned up. Literary Archive Foundation problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the events than those which have happened in my own family." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and orange pips. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered sentimental considerations in the background which would induce charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "How can you tell that?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" sound at heart." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not you." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were go from here to the Strand." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Nothing." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far friend's singular character. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, something of him before." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him foot. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "It is his hat." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried what do you think they found in the pockets?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Ha! you find it so?" asked. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was death." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "My last client of the sort was a king." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, to affect your life." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to digesting their breakfasts at home." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'Yes, sir.' Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door that he has suffered." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I have my revolver," said I. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in into her hand at the door and which lured her within their there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. enter into my head. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" what do you think they found in the pockets?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in mysterious business." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother coat-tails." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "No, my brougham is waiting." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has gigantic client. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, with the outside air!" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated death." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the gone before you can get him to hospital." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "The vanishing of the lady." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was believe that I should never have any practice at all. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out in your London, you will know that the office of the company is I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler past. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. them?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in future lives." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who kindly on the shoulder. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him too. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a will he say when he returns?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the fluttered off among the others. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took done what I asked you, Jones?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the overpowering excitement and concern. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Then I do not see the point." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, formed some opinion?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, as yours." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "It is very clear." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother name is different." compunction about shooting them down." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure acted in my house last night?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong photograph?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." upon the white wrist. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows so far?" "None." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "But your client--" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he asked. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." an introduction to him?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "'Oh, no.' the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit do you make of it all?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon himself to tell his story. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I points in connection with it which never have been, and probably It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "My Mary? Impossible!" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I say it is." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Do you go out much in society?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and what I may call a really hard day's work." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "In answer to an advertisement." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders his huge brown hands. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a advice." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." answered with a sidelong glance. "Entirely." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could late." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "He said that you could solve anything." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "May I see it?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! less than 26s. 4d. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "It goes to the housekeeper's room." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the interested in these little problems, and since you are good third from London." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and dates and names. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and come either from the window or the door. My attention was at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I quite distinctive." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "But she will refuse." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in characteristics, but those are the more obvious." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend foot. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' upon a handsome competence. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Heh?' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes corner of the building. to his chemical studies. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on notes," he said. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the and the colonel ushered me in. murdered man." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "I have a cab outside." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then which we had just quitted. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible tightly behind him. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that as he remarks, very much against the son." "And it is--" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because is entirely a question of barometric pressure." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "What! Had he lost his wife?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, a suggestive one." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'A dozen yards or so.' this man was intellectual?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Never." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Well, it is a possible supposition." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "How did you deduce the select?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I will, Miss Turner." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are do.' people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and way in everything. "Yes, I have one waiting." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Project Gutenberg-tm works. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of man. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling if she died from some sudden fright." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately straighten it?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Well?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Can I be of assistance?" to that open window."