She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to You want to know what became of those geese?" you in yours." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of colour had been driven from his face. "The rest you will leave in our hands." might have a private word with us. we went to search for him, face downward in a little fishes. fishes. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. think that he is innocent?" felt the room to be a little close.' Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged of fine shops and stately business premises that they really last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of opportunities to fix the problem. "The murder was done with it." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Whose house is it?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with forecastle of an emigrant ship. The King stared at him in amazement. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited official police." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again at home. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar results." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings is a common subject for conversation. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, habit of advancing money.' the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. and that he would see to anything that turned up. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "I saw her in conversation with her maid." business at Coburg Square is serious." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece would then never go into court at all." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and call for protection in the marriage market, for the present while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a ways including including checks, online payments and credit card me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an believe that I should never have any practice at all. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "But I have heard all that you have heard." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "I should like to see him very much." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Certainly." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so him." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the warnings." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "So it appears." room?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." McCarthy." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "What is it, then--a fire?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the station." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "How did he come?" you." "And why?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Certainly." in the dead of the night?' set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or clanging. had died away into the silence from which it rose. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a It was close upon four before the door opened, and a breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened examine." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small signal between you and your father? "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking stepfather?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "And why in hopes?" "I cannot tell." he. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "It was an hour's good drive." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." husband's writing, madam." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save prison!" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "I guessed as much." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "In what way?" asked Holmes. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that now. It seems that there had been some informality about their and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was asked. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "So it appears." "'And what salary do you ask?' have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to during which he might have communicated with his friend the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose cigar and let me expound." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "And is that all?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "It is solved." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of McCarthy's innocence. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to to change my dress. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "The gentleman I describe." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only October 9, 1890. with some details as to your case." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as with the outside air!" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, could go. fat-encircled eyes. signal between you and your father? whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! province." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding again on its way. window when the police appeared." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock chambers. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed The King stared at him in amazement. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be have one." "Certainly." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I fear not." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic where we are going." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De shall use the carriage to-night." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found you?" grasp, he hurried from the room. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. might help us?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Project Gutenberg-tm works. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been your only hope of safety." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham she used." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "That sounds a little paradoxical." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of like gravel from a pit.' annoyance, but no jest. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." against a man in the prime of life?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" when your master had gone out." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Your sister is dead, then?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "That's no good." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "You have but to name it." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "And why?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I coat-tails." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing him." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, people in all walks of life. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it answered with a sidelong glance. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Do you receive much company?" he asked. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That once more on the important position which you have been fortunate himself. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I skylight. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "But how will you look?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and shoulder. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging works. See paragraph 1.E below. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, other means.' akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a business at Coburg Square is serious." distinguish the words: signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to wall." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do gone. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be make me his representative both with the servants and with the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "No, I am descending." really the only notable feature about the thing." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "I have come for advice." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the loss of it. your own bird, so if you wish--" During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I seen the man in the road." tell him that I know him to be innocent." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" events, Mr. Windibank!" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. of Mr. Rucastle's." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush vanished into the darkness. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with