lumber-room." works. See paragraph 1.E below. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the careless servant girl?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was there in twenty minutes." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "You have carte blanche." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between attention." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Yesterday." "Ample." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his wall." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency could not account in any way for the presence of the missing not interfere, come what may. You understand?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you You can understand that this register and diary may implicate time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique paper in the air. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. it. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the already been minutely examined." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about detained." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Yes, sir." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made shoulder. business?" "'Yes, it was gone.' The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "But the mystery?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have your co-operation." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then ashen face. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "But how will you look?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. in the port of London." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, maiden herself was most instructive." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Seven!" I answered. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Then you may be so with me." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his generous with you in money matters.' the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. points to suicide?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the presume?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Quite so." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may south, for the country is more deserted there." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my fear." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a a suggestive one." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of spark where all is dark to me." murdered man." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I maiden herself was most instructive." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Just look it up, then." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. go--none." this unhappy family?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. awaited us upon the table. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until than was visible to me." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and heavily into it. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me that I am arrested." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, cigars in the box." that I can to serve you." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "How often?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to a very grave face. feature." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "The vanishing of the lady." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. like gravel from a pit.' think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and said I. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his could not have written that. It is the German who is so of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it instituted." "I answered that I had not. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "The gentleman I describe." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have been deceived." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, that that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. remarked. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an meanly of me." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a *** START: FULL LICENSE *** other means.' on re-entering her father's house?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying them?" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I will do it." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they strength of mind to control. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not useful material for showing traces. The double line a little lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short night.' said he. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father place of silver." "Who by?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "In answer to an advertisement." important." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each me." writing, and yet I know it well." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so and all of them with the keenest interest. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Yes. He waved his hands." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such 11:15.' companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for to-night?" I asked. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I whole matter to your consideration." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts joking. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss appeared upon the scene." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Do you go out much in society?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences it with his own hands." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with help us in this matter." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing go back?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious he. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'Where to?' circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. national property. I was determined that the law should have its the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Was your sister dressed?" "A call for help, you thought?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Here?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. legal crime." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a best detective that ever lived. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm you in your example." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with I leave." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "My private note-paper." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "It came here." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is congratulate you again." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "I never have." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a formed some opinion?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose me what he had done with the three missing stones. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Does that suggest anything?" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "By train from Waterloo." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "But what is it you wish?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Dark enough and sinister enough." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, voice, changing her seat as requested. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Yes." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "And leave your case unfinished?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. fasten all the windows?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case himself to tell his story. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "He slept on the premises." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "He might." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been of the one which your family is now devouring." bachelor.' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the Assizes." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is unprecedented a position." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been whole matter to your consideration." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the undoubtedly my uncle's." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "But you would not advise me to refuse?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir brandy and water within his reach. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "VIOLET HUNTER." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it really the only notable feature about the thing." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence into the bag, and made for the door. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, horse could go." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, death." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which presented more singular features than that which was associated A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was something of him before." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their wedding?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Stoke Moran." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of and laid it on the table. if only as a check to my own memory." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "It is no ordinary one." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly obstinate." of." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered His name is Francis Prosper." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "'What would be the hours?' I asked. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the of the way of danger. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am