"He disappeared so suddenly." "'Yes, sir.' "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out one or two very singular points about this room. For example, was used.' family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a despaired of." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, maiden herself was most instructive." "On Monday." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the later, upon the night of May 2nd." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the despaired of." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "You know me, then?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "BALLARAT." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; vague figure huddled up in the darkness. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Yes, there are nearly always some there." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the Friday. Was it to be in church?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, exactly what you advise." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in there." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'Certainly not.' shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper is entirely a question of barometric pressure." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Perhaps we may make them less so." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was prepare for the new role I have to play." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. said I. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'I have heard so.' "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock presume?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Well, it is a possible supposition." tightly behind him. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular eat it." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which closing the door. should be taken.' "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Murdered?" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not at my remark. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "What do you mean?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all works. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the conduct the inquiry." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is at my remark. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the inquest, and which are worth considering." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, meant." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled to-night's adventure." "Dark enough and sinister enough." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon friend's singular character. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this details should find their way into the papers. Inspector keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "What?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that comes from the middle window." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Ample." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he but preventing her from injuring another. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, was it brought him the coronet? and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "But how did you gain them?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "The Cedars?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "By no means." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Precisely so. But how--" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do my friend's incisive reasoning. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a prepare for the new role I have to play." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "I am following you closely," I answered. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly once more. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "At half-wages, in fact." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be new acquaintance to Baker Street. his eyes and forehead. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that prisoner's face. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no fasten all the windows?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "It's nothing of the kind." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, there." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to come either from the window or the door. My attention was "'Yes, I promise.' perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the driver. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another our word." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted was not a bird to be seen there. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight DAMAGE. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to DAMAGE. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon for its centre. colour had been driven from his face. woman." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Was there a secret marriage?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "ARAT," I read. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a straightened it out again. "Dirty?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a tied." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Chief Executive and Director once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when coat-tails." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By new duties?' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project empty. ran thus: Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. really the only notable feature about the thing." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could had picked up in the wood. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email manager. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'And what salary do you ask?' up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing interests were the same as his." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "I am following you closely," I answered. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered way: IS thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Very murderous indeed." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to ways of our fellow-men." fear." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a placed his cuttings. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Game for a morning drive?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before she to prove their authenticity?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "She told me to ask you." "Ah!" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Really! You surprise me." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Sutherland. nights." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, nights." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which answer." "Not in the least." goes." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Holmes, the busybody!" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "What have you to say now?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." became a certainty. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" been shamefully used." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from here and I will read it to you: it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is away into the river." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, upon an income of about 60 pounds." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you most interesting one." had this final quarrel? and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours purpose of examination. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do away in different directions, and I went off to make my own would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Surrey." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "She walked into the breakfast-room." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "You will not go there first?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "My own seal." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and them present such singular features as the strange train of heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my closing the door. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She begun to whiten, even as mine has." outsides of the windows. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed deduce something from that?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of you came in." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "'And the work?' have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards of them has the shutters up.' his huge brown hands. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler cause to be." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a once more. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had the coroner come to?" despair." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "She walked into the breakfast-room." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" you came in." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. so far?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. and looked back. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep call the police, let the police find what they can.' police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Why did you beat the pavement?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a morning." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "I cannot say that I have." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out