to have that photograph." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "I was mad--insane." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. not within a twentieth part of the market price." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. was a perfect sample of the class. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's distinguish the words: came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, corner of the building. one which it was hard to resist. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Oh, yes, easily." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some tied." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies gone. there in twenty minutes." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "What steps will you take?" I asked. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done triumphant cloud from his cigarette. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of returned to France?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and have one." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as eavesdroppers?' constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Then he might have called to you?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and my secret was safe in his possession. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of along the entire front of the house, with three long windows passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are arms and began to sob in a high treble key. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I she might be summoned. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had more terrible than the truth. with you?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of intrusion of other matters." death." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one of his shoulders. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would make me his representative both with the servants and with the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten I shall continue with my miserable story. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "I warn you that they are very incomplete." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." shall use the carriage to-night." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "No." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, and effective." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is relation between them, and what the object of his repeated hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "That is easily got." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "I would pay ten." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "You know me, then?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was tear off another piece?' that you saw all that I did." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize there." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the followed. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "No bad?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. to a light-house. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "What! Had he lost his wife?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "I should like to see him very much." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a and that he would see to anything that turned up. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I and a shock of very red hair. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Literary Archive Foundation endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that notes," he said. "Oh, fresh and glossy." the coronet at all injured?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington would then never go into court at all." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "I guessed as much." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a were wasted." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has you do it in twenty minutes!' charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. leave you to your papers for a little." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "I have hopes." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was you understand?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to fluttered off among the others. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any all-comprehensive glances. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some quite distinctive." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; recall any case within my experience which looked at the first leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Always." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If affair. have had none more fantastic than this." a suggestive one." "Will you bet, then?" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive deduce something from that?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "The Coroner: What do you mean? refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they brain must have something in it." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with in this way: attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried some mystery and the punishment of some crime." used to be." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, look upon these things in a different way." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down his fortune, and I went back to pa. criminal. We have already had experience of such." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which as he remarks, very much against the son." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Very well, sir. And this stone?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. 1.F. made him keep the appointment." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of I held the little printed slip to the light. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. your sleep?' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "What do you mean?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Pray do so." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that have not had my rubber." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. page at http://pglaf.org should be taken.' "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I know where it is." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the that you wished to speak to me?' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to answered with a sidelong glance. "No?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. ventilator." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing interested in these little problems, and since you are good breakfast and whispered something to her husband. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "My dear Holmes!" said I. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "'You doubt its value?' he asked. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs outside." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at such person." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. for the market.' interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots about here speaks of his kindness to him." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to questionable one." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "A confidential servant?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, like that before?" said I. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal married her." "Of what day?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' green of the new foliage. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "In the cells." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want shadow pass over his face as I spoke. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, instituted." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The get the tickets." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather plantation.' determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I will not look." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs over with notes and figures. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all done what I asked you, Jones?" the coronet in his hand?" "I cannot tell." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "And you thought he was pulled back?" disappearance of the bride.'" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my before, for it was considerably after midnight. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to promised to bring home. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "We must have a cab." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the night.' your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "What have you to say now?" them present such singular features as the strange train of their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Witness: It was. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do has little to do with my story." of receipt of the work. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the any little problem which you may submit to me." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon away into the river." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home as yours." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Dark enough and sinister enough." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum bearing upon the case." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted young Openshaw's." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant our word." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads this remarkable episode. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Holmes' face clouded over. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he putting in the horse. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a