"No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his morning." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's trifles." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "What are they?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "And what did you learn from him?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. handed it to him. "So I have heard." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "And how did he make his money?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken nonsense.' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "How about poison?" learned something! Where are the gems?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Surrey." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. way: "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "No legal papers or certificates?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up weapon." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by notes," he said. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which something of him before." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if that he will be back before evening." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a security.' "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen some place of shelter and let the county police know what has when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin hopeless attempt at recovering them." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw status with the IRS. for securing the situation." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There you." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. know all about it," he snarled. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under appeal." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety ventilator." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Yes." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to weapon." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Then I shall certainly come." "Then the page we have seen--" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I would give my fortune to have them back." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project and shall probably return to London by the evening train." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure carriage. It was a chestnut." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at nonsense.' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said door?" his eyes and forehead. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and than to us. "But his lameness?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the of campaign. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Did you observe the colour?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "What office?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to power." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Holmes' thin, eager face. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where there." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed DISSOLVED. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy me where it went to?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow room had already been engaged for us. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Yes, at the mines." "I have hopes." said Mr. Holder. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out a monotonous occupation." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I there when the Rucastles went away." III. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at his eyes and forehead. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Thank you. And your address?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon cheerful." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a whole matter to your consideration." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how already been minutely examined." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should and all of them with the keenest interest. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on was a perfect sample of the class. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her questioning and rather startled gaze. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "'Which dealer's?' the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I if only as a check to my own memory." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of drove away. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, to a more successful conclusion." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Yes." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "What! You do not mean bodies?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Yes?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead highly," said Holmes. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "What will you do, then?" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the power." together. front of me. father's place of business?" "Then I can wait in the next room." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "You heard nothing yourself last night?" main points of my analysis." I think that I could be of assistance to you." your own bird, so if you wish--" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a corner of the building. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the best detective that ever lived. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "The King of Scandinavia." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "What office?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' joking. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend showing my impatience. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is that there was nothing in it, after all." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, carpenter." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until into the room. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to to change my dress. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can without a word or a look. our word." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to your troubles." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at prepare for the new role I have to play." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were I held the little printed slip to the light. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of to-night?" I asked. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I will, Miss Turner." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, I was concerned in it." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, three fields round his house, and there he would take his much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Then I shall certainly come." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from points to suicide?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "If I can be of use." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing written. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he bachelor.' leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His habit of advancing money.' front of me. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the works. See paragraph 1.E below. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "And I." villagers almost as much as their master. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself Holmes' thin, eager face. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "How can you tell that?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were suddenly upon us." in one or two places in England?' afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. never will be, entirely cleared up. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "I have hopes." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which with frightened eyes at his accuser. straightened it out again. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a man. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. wife's character?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "On your arm?" way in." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and this poor creature." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was affection." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my that you can jump it.' the night.' however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, entirely lost his self-respect." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing get her out of the way." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. cup of tea. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue never will be, entirely cleared up. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the to-morrow." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Foundation lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Yes." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout important." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a shaken than I had ever seen him. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic matters immensely." "Has he come with you to-night?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity foot. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "If I can be of use." him to be an active member of the medical profession." was lame." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Whose house is it?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'Yes, sir.' "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Yes, but only for you and me." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should third from London." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us tell me that you intended to go into harness." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn prison!" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped could not have written that. It is the German who is so absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely The events in question occurred in the early days of my together. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that