I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those it." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be woven round him. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" cost them two and thirty pounds." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too next day. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much developed." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are charged with?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "'Ten to two.' "No." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if off." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every strength of mind to control. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the purpose equally well?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would distance from the station, and there we found the young lady opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Chief Executive and Director looking up at the numbers of the houses." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are like that before?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were come either from the window or the door. My attention was I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Imitated." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' towards the blaze. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "His face fell immediately. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "My dear Holmes!" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand would then never go into court at all." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." national property. I was determined that the law should have its his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where that you wished to speak to me?' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Yes." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "A thing like a cleaver," said he. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "He might." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or instituted." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, letters?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is call for protection in the marriage market, for the present and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, coroner's jury." http://gutenberg.net/license). travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, all that?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who of the vacancies.' work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "To ruin me." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & miles off. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger key turn in the lock." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Certainly." place no limit on the sum I may draw." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Yes, all." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out as he folded up the epistle. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the electronic works assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about You can understand that this register and diary may implicate of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "What! You do not mean bodies?" mystery." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Dr. Becher's." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" will he say when he returns?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 away to you." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded bird of prey. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face discontent upon his features. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. who was a member of your goose club." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project one of the states of the Union." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'Where to?' "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by security.' things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'I have heard so.' I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern hand, madam?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal could not account in any way for the presence of the missing at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign get the tickets." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself get the tickets." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "'Certainly,' I answered. "Then, how do you know?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly strength in the others." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the one as in the other." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "At half-wages, in fact." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "What do you make of that, Watson?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Where to?" "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended this unhappy family?" remarked. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin which it had come upon my father." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Sutherland?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Not I." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We through." "I never have." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss galvanised. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Nothing?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in into her hand at the door and which lured her within their breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I character. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, extraordinary contortions. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his and no precautions can guard against." shoulder; "he's all right." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Texas, I think." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly walking." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his that you saw all that I did." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Where did you address your letters, then?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those figure." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left really the only notable feature about the thing." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had him nearly every evening." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just down. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought lost his Christmas dinner." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Arthur Conan Doyle important." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Get out!" said he. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Do you go out much in society?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. wedding?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Yes, it would be as well." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "And now?" He raised his hand. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious words came to my lips. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "By train from Waterloo." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Sutherland. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "The rest you will leave in our hands." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little think, you have already met." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "This concluded the examination of the witness." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "And that is--" "I am in hopes that she does." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Pray continue your narrative." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier.