the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; been shamefully used." appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & have accepted such a situation. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I outside. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself plantation.' forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "One of the highest in England." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Was there a secret marriage?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. someone who had been in Australia." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." was shining brightly. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he public press." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which forbidden door. "The knees of his trousers." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary said I. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the inner apartment." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the prepare for the new role I have to play." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither opened the door, and slipped through. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was outbreak?" "'Why that?' I asks. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, pierced for earrings?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets crackling voice. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to one of the states of the Union." detective. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit it." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and in your London, you will know that the office of the company is jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor lost nothing by them." 1.F. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but you." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots matters immensely." of this gang." foresight and the moral retrogression?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the both be extremely obliged.' "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the himself. letters?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Yes." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, held up the lantern and gazed about him. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. over part of the map. "What do you read?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against one which it was hard to resist. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire I am not easy in my mind about them." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Witness: It was. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "How are you getting on?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "'There is a drive, then?' "And the cigar-holder?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "We were both in the photograph." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "And for present expenses?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "One of his hands." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out call for it in person on Monday morning.' presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project province." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I him nearly every evening." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in populous neighbourhood." joking. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "It missed him, then?" highroad, where all traces were lost. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others ready to-morrow?' your only hope of safety." Watson," he said cordially. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "What are they?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was read it out to me." main points of my analysis." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "I don't believe it." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, happened." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and clanging. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its case before our client came into the room." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with The telegram which we eventually received came late one night as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "That is easily got." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "But you can know nothing of this?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age your most interesting statement." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "One of his hands." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are south, for the country is more deserted there." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It like that before?" "Here?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the station." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which will find little credit to be gained out of this case." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in place no limit on the sum I may draw." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" power." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. page at http://pglaf.org "What will you do, then?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had have one." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I don't believe it." have I gained?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as hurried by. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "How often?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Game for a morning drive?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." McCarthy's innocence. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "'Yes, I promise.' and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his has little to do with my story." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Mrs. Toller serenely. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely humiliation." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were a monotonous occupation." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per man. I know him from the photograph." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. the window, rose as we entered. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Yes." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a third from London." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips carpenter." that he has suffered." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in detective. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger you in your example." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the chambers. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about as he remarks, very much against the son." sound at heart." "I shall be delighted." "'Certainly,' I answered. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "What?" again on its way. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "No bad?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." situation." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year me have 200 pounds?' "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his use an arc-and-compass breastpin." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, this poor creature." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the night.' month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down been anything against him. He had for years been known as a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Yes, at the mines." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Holmes rather sternly. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out a very grave face. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of gentleman's clothes. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his something of him before." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "And on what day did he meet his death?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. who was a member of your goose club." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "And you thought he was pulled back?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us locked. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Perhaps we may make them less so." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid