electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "No legal papers or certificates?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle matters immensely." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical careless servant girl?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "My stepfather's business papers." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client your co-operation." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their despair." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "And now?" He raised his hand. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, bachelor.' with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided nice household for a young lady." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some strong and stiff." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business particular state visit http://pglaf.org home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as most interesting one." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have know what is wrong with it.' of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at noise which awoke you from your sleep?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "And why in hopes?" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, tell him that I know him to be innocent." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "How are you getting on?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence it right.' back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a to Leatherhead. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "'I have already given you my word.' you found me to-night--and running through the front room she in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is meanly of me." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Perfectly so." States. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? me. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who read it out to me." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the fishes. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be I. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the window, rose as we entered. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "May I see it?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining rooms." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' look upon these things in a different way." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "I cannot say that I have." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the nights." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have not fit the lock." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "That is possible." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." breakfast." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a soul! here is her carriage at the door." the King without delay." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "You have the photograph?" envelope. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there business matters.' "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "The landlord of the Alpha." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if morning." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to chamber." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "One?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and mysterious end." and have this put in the evening papers." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Pray do so." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Then I can wait in the next room." stalked out of the room. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." unprecedented a position." entirely lost his self-respect." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something lamp. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could more solid." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You recall any case within my experience which looked at the first test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "What!" he roared. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes things are very often connected not with the larger but with the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Could he throw no light?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the salesman. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the yet." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the in the hope of finding them." speckled band?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, For additional contact information: you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Have you it here?" a room. distinguish the words: I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start see a sister of mine apply for." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I mystery." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was could go. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is ourselves in the office." keep the flames under. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "And you thought he was pulled back?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all astonishment. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Married! When?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Oh, fresh and glossy." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands said I. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Pray tell us what has happened to you." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of families. Now for the facts. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with results." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our your only hope of safety." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this call you and give you the chance." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "One?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she are, I think, all that we need." tied." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many presented more singular features than that which was associated and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "And the murderer?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his is a common subject for conversation. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'And the work?' so.' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and his grey eyes. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "I was mad--insane." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what are windows in it, of course?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our said I. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Eyford." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "I fear not." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "How are you getting on?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how his face which made him a very different person to the round, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Doctor, of the paper and the date." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'Quite sure, dad.' envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about one's self under obligations.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Yes." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. horse could go." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should nonsense.' "No." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the child." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be introspective fashion. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in main points of my analysis." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." there when the Rucastles went away." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight DAMAGE. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat http://gutenberg.net/license). "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and me. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was lamp. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a