"My last client of the sort was a king." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at someone who had been in Australia." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" to have been novel and of interest." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the is acting for the best. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Will you bet, then?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, know what is wrong with it.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "In answer to an advertisement." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Cross for the Continent." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Yes, I have one waiting." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight points to suicide?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of into the room. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a have accepted such a situation. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander be. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had States. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the would then never go into court at all." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may which should have the effect of calling the attention of the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Not I." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than directly by questioning you." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I instituted." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just nice household for a young lady." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the morning and make my own way in the world.' sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a completely overtopped every other consideration that we both walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors be best to do. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout locked. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "If so, much may have happened between." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." wedding?" "You have the photograph?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "'You doubt its value?' he asked. said I. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "And did you observe any change in her then?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." of Mr. Rucastle's." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his she used." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I should wish to." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "'A dozen yards or so.' his grey eyes. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature tell him that I know him to be innocent." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from I held the little printed slip to the light. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "I cannot tell." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the inquest, and which are worth considering." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Literary Archive Foundation mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I will try. What is it?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "I should be immensely obliged to you." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little of this gang." Eyford at 11:15.' "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the prepare for the new role I have to play." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Dr. Becher's." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "I cannot imagine." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his like gravel from a pit.' it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "But what is it you wish?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." and have this put in the evening papers." him and tried to hold him back. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "'What, the red-headed man?' Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out someone who had been in Australia." you." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "No." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, you." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right my room." "What shall I do?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "He might." "But your client--" "The gentleman I describe." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "No bad?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "How did that help you?" if I call to-morrow?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "I will get her to show me." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always mysterious business." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project nothing with him." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Has he come with you to-night?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Pool. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, rooms." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a confronted him. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that I took the paper from him and read as follows: What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring towards the blaze. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the date of his supposed suicide." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the once more. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea if I call to-morrow?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at little trying to do so much typewriting?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, following enigmatical notices: which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My fattened it expressly for you.' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that meant it for the best. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Absolutely?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which very morning of my second wedding." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Munro.' carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "A thing like a cleaver," said he. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Here?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the iron safe, which he closed upon it. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the goes." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that time." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Well, but China?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" tension within him. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Entirely." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally vanished into the darkness. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, me upon any point which I do not make clear." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Was he the only applicant?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle young Openshaw's." "I cannot think." "'There is a drive, then?' tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Really! You surprise me." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I beg pardon." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa but preventing her from injuring another. "In San Francisco, a year ago." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was without a word or a look. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the driver. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," colonel looking down at me. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the night.' be.' is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he of receipt of the work. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "And I say east," said my patient. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar case before our client came into the room." "'Yes, I promise.' over part of the map. "What do you read?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens strength of mind to control. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the chambers. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Will you go?" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Then you may entirely rely on me." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had weapon." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no man. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the so-precious time, but come!' something of him before." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as constraint." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "It must be recovered." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with