possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of generous with you in money matters.' profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that must compliment you." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have of it with the greatest attention. "I am following you closely," I answered. "Oh, yes, easily." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but empty. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can your only hope of safety." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. fact, we may call it conclusive." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship sentimental considerations in the background which would induce to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." questionable one." "My Mary? Impossible!" standing smiling on the door-step. him, that man would not have given me such complete information test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of lids now and glanced across at his visitor. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I success. "Get out!" said he. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "That also I could fathom." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. conclusions. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "What then?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. not come at once?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' giving me time to thank him. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the with some details as to your case." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place situation." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'Yes, sir.' Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" passage and a tap at the door. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked tell him that I know him to be innocent." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I which our visitor detailed to us. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." respectable self." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace was shining brightly. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "And now?" He raised his hand. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own go--none." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand have got?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." him to go away.' "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I cannot tell." "No, my brougham is waiting." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of and that he would see to anything that turned up. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is most interesting one." investigation." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take 'please.'" the ceiling. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, acquaintance?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not I have it here in my museum." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Leadenhall Street--and--" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in conduct the inquiry." "But she could not love him." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been what is your own theory as to what took place?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "No, my brougham is waiting." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson brain must have something in it." undoubtedly my uncle's." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "He is still with you, I presume?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how not personally threatened." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is pity, because in other respects you would really have done very he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and in one or two places in England?' II. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I don't believe it." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and existence." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "No?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared over part of the map. "What do you read?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Holmes' face clouded over. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "'Never.' "Yes." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it pierced for earrings?" "I came to find a friend." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third quick march!" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." strength." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that sound at heart." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord noting anything else of interest. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the the south-west, I see." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "What then?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Well, some hundreds of times." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "By no means." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "But what will you do?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "I was mad--insane." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method matter." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a or in danger--" "No, distinctly professional." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Come in!" said Holmes. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "'Certainly not.' emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "And how?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his until night should bring an explanation. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I think it very unlikely." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say think, you have already met." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. desk. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram matter over." "You are hungry," I remarked. "'Certainly,' I answered. notes," he said. desk. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either outbreak?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such have had none more fantastic than this." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "That was it, sir." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "ARAT," I read. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner if only as a check to my own memory." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "What I expected to see." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the photograph?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be sooner or later she must fall a victim. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low since then to throw any light upon what became of him." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be forecastle of an emigrant ship. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" it." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "I cannot tell." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to learned something! Where are the gems?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main sneer upon his pale face. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Nothing." "Then I am your man." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the excitement. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been other means.' "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Yes, from Horsham." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, been able to understand it, in a very few words. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Imitated." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave your co-operation." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Nothing?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Count Von Kramm." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting business at Coburg Square is serious." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "How are you getting on?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "I cannot as yet see any connection." appointment with me for six o'clock?" "What will you do, then?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with orange pips. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to looking up at the numbers of the houses." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Yes, at the mines." "I shall be delighted." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle you?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at it? Did I buy the geese off you?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Well, some hundreds of times." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Mrs. Toller serenely. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and spark where all is dark to me." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the it." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate But Holmes shook his head gravely. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to long narrative. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" I. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned come either from the window or the door. My attention was "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last orange pips. "What! You do not mean bodies?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted possible that we could bring him back to her? "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. strength." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open like that before?"