wall." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish eavesdroppers?' for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "How on earth--" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "I see many objections to any such theory." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the King without delay." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until cigar and let me expound." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "The gentleman I describe." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. both be extremely obliged.' approach us with offers to donate. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is this remarkable episode. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally remarked. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "She will not sell." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too you, my dear young lady?' brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. are, and they are waiting for us." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter other means.' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "My last client of the sort was a king." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Game for a morning drive?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the weary and pale-looking. it right.' would apply.' following enigmatical notices: Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us threw himself down with his face to the pillow. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little chair. of his shoulders. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. heavy and sharp instrument." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out prove to be little relation between the different incidents of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Awake, Watson?" he asked. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the upon the white wrist. Leadenhall Street--and--" "Why, what do you mean?" do you make of it all?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But lectures into a series of tales." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to me have 200 pounds?' unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to absorbing." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace forecastle of an emigrant ship. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin overpowering excitement and concern. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that morning." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Yes, only one." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." to tell." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' think that any burglar could have done. new acquaintance to Baker Street. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he during that time.' "You are all wrong." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those in this way: heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I o'clock is it?" been." You want to know what became of those geese?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." persecution?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary this as likely?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Thank you. And your address?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole into the room. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't on in his house." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "And how have you succeeded?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of intrusion of other matters." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "No." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Of what?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "9th. McCauley cleared. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. that he has suffered." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian strength of mind to control. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "What do you make of that, Watson?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "He disappeared so suddenly." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." rat could hardly pass through." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the maid will bring up your coffee." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on purpose equally well?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "His face fell immediately. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "My private note-paper." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a it means?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Was he the only applicant?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Come in!" said Holmes. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able despair." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself particular state visit http://pglaf.org about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'I have already given you my word.' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "No, I had a dozen." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into meant it for the best. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." obstinate." roused himself from his reverie. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "And why?" "To the police?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my important." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of this remarkable episode. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Eh? What was that?" formed some opinion?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Have you her photograph?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose place, I think that there is good ground to think that the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "What!" he roared. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards question," said Holmes, smiling. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Your French gold?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, compunction about shooting them down." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. legal crime." against a man in the prime of life?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Pray tell us what has happened to you." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and points in connection with it which never have been, and probably put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' I leave." past. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to sooner or later she must fall a victim. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "No legal papers or certificates?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" copied or distributed: sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for returning from some small jollification and was making his way beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "'Is purely nominal.' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the or other trace. But how on earth--" have not had my rubber." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some this as likely?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "In San Francisco, a year ago." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' before the coroner and the police-court." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His individual and becomes the badge of a society." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else rooms." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. been deceived." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "And you thought he was pulled back?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, his forehead." joking. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The wall." "Seven!" I answered. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "'Yes, sir.' intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of when your master had gone out." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is him nearly every evening." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past there is a decided draught." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Count Von Kramm." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is memory. Stoke Moran." through." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the or other trace. But how on earth--" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "What have you to say now?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Seven!" I answered. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "You were travelling in the States?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "He disappeared so suddenly." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the straighten it?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, kind enough to tell me what I should do." "But his left-handedness." have accepted such a situation. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of have one." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his visitors." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Seven!" I answered. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So letters?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." as he remarks, very much against the son." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my I shall communicate with you." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my passage and a tap at the door. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the new acquaintance to Baker Street. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I he died? save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I cigars in the box." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I