"Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or security.' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "What! Had he lost his wife?" "'Which dealer's?' Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "And you thought he was pulled back?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come The summons was a brief and urgent one. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the meant." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I did not hear it also.' "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my do.' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Not in a good cause." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on there in twenty minutes." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade guilty parties." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad keep the flames under. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a thin, with a long, sharp nose?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving be. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque and wait." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Why? What do you mean?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Entirely." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Never to return." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as to that open window." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to in him." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Yes, from Horsham." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of only touch the interest." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little comes from the middle window." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but bachelor.' left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I me." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his brain must have something in it." "Ah!" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss DISSOLVED. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "No, I had a dozen." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man envelope. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and and looked back. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "But how did you gain them?" "Precisely so. But how--" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a face and glided from the room. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was habit of advancing money.' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same ran thus: there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "And how did you find out?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle straightened it out again. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Where did you address your letters, then?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Sutherland. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet money should be paid at once.' one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who approach us with offers to donate. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at a monotonous occupation." heavy and sharp instrument." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the him!" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "And who is her maid?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from flock.' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "One?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Here?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Then how many are there?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Not I." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' have established a very serious case against the son of the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part and files of the old papers, following the future career of every arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should when your master had gone out." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled as yours." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "And help." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "You were travelling in the States?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall to affect your life." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "You have compromised yourself seriously." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon me. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the room?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can did not hear it also.' see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "My last client of the sort was a king." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged she to prove their authenticity?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Not yet." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him bearing upon the case." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a generous with you in money matters.' true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." with you alone." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "What, then?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Married! When?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "And I." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Then how many are there?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "No." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too highroad, where all traces were lost. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in promised to bring home. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, lost his Christmas dinner." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By morning." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of I shall continue with my miserable story. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since clang of the bell. bedroom door." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Whose house is it?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Your presence might be invaluable." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater my little problems." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Was the window open?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "And now?" He raised his hand. chemical work which was so dear to him. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Doctor, of the paper and the date." voice. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too certainly not very gracious." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "And for present expenses?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Henry Baker is a member." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "You have compromised yourself seriously." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I say it is." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Of Friday, June 19th." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and newspaper selections." "'Then let me do so?' Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at kindly on the shoulder. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the dangers which encompass me." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' then?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and chance at all." had picked up in the wood. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Why, what do you mean?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "What then?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a garden below. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Frequently." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "How did you trace it, then?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** once more to my work. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Never." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. to tell." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during you." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "And help." hardly wander." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Have you good authority for what you say?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of had picked up in the wood. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I cannot say that I have." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "One?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Whose house is it?" conclusions. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "And who is her maid?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so were unconscious?" "And you can do nothing until then?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and