thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read on re-entering her father's house?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then here and I will read it to you: right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. strength in the others." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in friend's singular character. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, the King without delay." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood giving me time to thank him. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, his face which made him a very different person to the round, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "And that is--" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. dear old homesteads?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "To ruin me." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the iron safe, which he closed upon it. would apply.' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "'Very good.' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss been." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Heh?' "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "I am all attention, madam." coat-tails." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. place of silver." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of closing the door. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'Yes, it was gone.' weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled enter into my head. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have we went to search for him, face downward in a little charge against him will break down." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's over with notes and figures. "I cannot say that I have." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us wall." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as garden below. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "And what then?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant overpowering excitement and concern. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at be.' "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." careless servant girl?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic chill to my heart. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands politicians who had been sent down from the North. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come questioning and rather startled gaze. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "I saw her in conversation with her maid." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "To ruin me." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. generous with you in money matters.' Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I am following you closely," I answered. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their over with notes and figures. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that there!' "I cannot tell." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "And now?" I asked. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "You saw the ventilator, too?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may most interesting one." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. and inquire as to the address." acted in my house last night?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." or other trace. But how on earth--" "That you are never beaten." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and appointment with me for six o'clock?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "It must be recovered." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful vault. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in vanished into the darkness. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks used to be." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to wall." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I warn you that they are very incomplete." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn system of imprisonment?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little ran thus: The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "You will not go there first?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." my special province." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect redistribution. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to confronted him. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," round and wave him away like that.' the child." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless that he will be back before evening." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to locked. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the tightly behind him. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Proceed, then." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Serpentine Avenue. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all man. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "She showed me, as I told you she would." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your read over the extraordinary announcement. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Where, indeed?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "They are typewritten," I remarked. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Then you may entirely rely on me." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their conduct the inquiry." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I fear not." father's place of business?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." that you wished to speak to me?' asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the you in your example." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "By no means." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "How are you getting on?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when breakfast?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in matters immensely." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'You cannot say what it was?' "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Yes, the wine-cellar." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by cause to be." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A into the bag, and made for the door. upon the shelf for the interim." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's meanly of me." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" people in all walks of life. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "You forget that I know nothing about it." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love to affect your life." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from made his money." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the matter?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. have I gained?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it narrative." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their it means?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a DISSOLVED. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up American. Then who could this American be, and why should he a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's fear." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that brain must have something in it." "'Certainly,' I answered. "On your arm?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the drove away. throat." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at chance at all." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I would give my fortune to have them back." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and shag which I had seen upon the previous night. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." flock.' as the one I chose?' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Of Friday, June 19th." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of questionable one." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "'I have already given you my word.' thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others said he. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." she might be summoned. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "An enemy?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to and it need not interfere very much with one's other the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the inner apartment." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his my friend's incisive reasoning. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'I shall certainly be there.' my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to is entirely a question of barometric pressure." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in him and tried to hold him back. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is death." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Texas, I think." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt outside." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the little opening for the ventilator is." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "It is possible." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." manager. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the which we had just quitted. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the society." to-night?' Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. side. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking