walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first house for five minutes.' us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some meant it for the best. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical events, Mr. Windibank!" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Well." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Did you become engaged then?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." astonishment. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten matter." "And what did you learn from him?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a house for five minutes.' http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready must be when I saw the door open.' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able not use it unless it is absolutely needed." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was roused himself from his reverie. "Never to return." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the think you a quite exceptional woman." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I should be taken.' do you make of it all?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "And help." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings definite end. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." washing it down with a long draught of water. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "And what did you see?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared swore that no one else had been in the front room during the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition some mystery and the punishment of some crime." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been spark where all is dark to me." "You have compromised yourself seriously." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe despair." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided compunction about shooting them down." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found any." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I next day. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need them?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding questionable one." "Yes." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a a good hundred miles off by now." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Because he was handy and would come cheap." gbnewby@pglaf.org door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram anything to a woman, for she would have her way." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local second window is the one that I jumped from." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the room while you explain this matter?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still it." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found fluttered off among the others. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked not fit the lock." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Perhaps I have." "And why in hopes?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have with her." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "You think so, too?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. get the tickets." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to you." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my existence." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Nothing." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I don't believe it." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Yes." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We promised to bring home. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and this poor creature." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. noble correspondent could be. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and not personally threatened." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one License. You must require such a user to return or his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a to some other building. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a asked. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, spark where all is dark to me." "I should wish to." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open upon the shelf for the interim." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Yes, at the mines." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "'How far from the body?' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "And help." been." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from must compliment you." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed amused." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "You will not go there first?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I would pay ten." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Count Von Kramm." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "The knees of his trousers." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend walking." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event along the entire front of the house, with three long windows chance." to his chemical studies. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Because he was handy and would come cheap." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Tired-looking or fresh?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked be there in time for your coming." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms allusion to a rat. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met bearing upon the case." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to up this clue while it is still hot." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now about. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the is a common subject for conversation. gbnewby@pglaf.org against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "But it has twice been burgled." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing passage and a tap at the door. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The bore every mark of being an average commonplace British to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Foundation "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the imbecility!" he cried. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their dead, shall be safe with us." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I will try. What is it?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Perhaps we may make them less so." "My own seal." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' over part of the map. "What do you read?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I where she found matters as described by the last witness. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared nights." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the behind me. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to go back?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "A client, then?" "What!" he roared. "Very. But will he see it?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise discontent upon his features. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her charged with?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very fasten all the windows?" "None." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "And your father? Did you tell him?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I promise," said Holmes. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the or other trace. But how on earth--" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "No." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." child?' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "What! Had he lost his wife?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it me. You must get home instantly and act." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." minor matters until to-morrow." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to status with the IRS. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can it." your billet.' pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be to-morrow." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from away into the river." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their following enigmatical notices: suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring forbidden door. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, miles off. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she go from here to the Strand." "What are they?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that get her out of the way." back into the street. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to me. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my of the way of danger. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "But I have heard all that you have heard." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "You are certainly joking, Holmes." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry to his chemical studies. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "BALLARAT." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be never came back." upon the shelf for the interim." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Well, some hundreds of times." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "My private note-paper." "I am sure." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. you."