through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I was feeling which was the fattest.' "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "What, then, did Peterson do?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing pity, because in other respects you would really have done very never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an power." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Farm upon the left." "You have a clue?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. never came back." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "No, but the enclosure is." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, McCarthy." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." thirty. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close again, where I was soon asleep. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' present strange and interesting features that it is no easy has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I shaken than I had ever seen him. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Very much so." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. digesting their breakfasts at home." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed voice. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now before, for it was considerably after midnight. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "But it has twice been burgled." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its what do you think they found in the pockets?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but room had already been engaged for us. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I and wait." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, as he folded up the epistle. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade them?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most constraint." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue promised to bring home. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "I don't say that. Perhaps." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Not in the least." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole business." will take you up to see the machine.' "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "On your arm?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "I never have." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "How can you tell that?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Yes." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Frequently." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" drawing your inferences." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them him to go away.' keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "At half-wages, in fact." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the coronet in his hands?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Imitated." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in it. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed strength of mind to control. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police feature." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "In San Francisco, a year ago." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which joking. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Who was the criminal, then?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "We have tried and failed." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Yes." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "You have but to name it." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" my secret was safe in his possession. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "My own seal." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, wedding?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I would pay ten." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. have accepted such a situation. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle to change my dress. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "And did you observe any change in her then?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away and laid it on the table. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "My own seal." "'Ten to two.' train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I cannot tell." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over happened." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the do.' no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Nothing." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the roots. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "But the mystery?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Yes." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I than was visible to me." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very do." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was details." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "At the wedding breakfast." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I say that I have solved it." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name not fit the lock." criminal. We have already had experience of such." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the warnings." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "You have the photograph?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "A greater distance to travel." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his photograph?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "I have hopes." someone who had been in Australia." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical mystery may be cleared along those lines." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I saw her in conversation with her maid." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I sofa. This way, please!" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no DISSOLVED. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person never will be, entirely cleared up. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' three of the beryls in it, was missing. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any dramatic, in fact." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "'I am sure that I do not know.' the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "My photograph." neither fascinating nor artistic." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Yes, but only for you and me." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the empty. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Certainly." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I situation." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been British peeress.'" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which to-night?" I asked. door?" "Certainly." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, manager. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able I held the little printed slip to the light. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Tired-looking or fresh?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "I see many objections to any such theory." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; room had already been engaged for us. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and shoulder. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a that, and I came down." cheerful." "'In my own bureau.' method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. for and were ordered to this address. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the inquest, and which are worth considering." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a do." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met man. I know him from the photograph." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "What are they?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "You have compromised yourself seriously." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I than to us. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, enough to aid us in our search." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "I am sure." eat it." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "What, then?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been four million human beings all jostling each other within the is now desirous of getting those letters back." "But your client--" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few felt?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their held up the lantern and gazed about him. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "No, I am descending." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the to a light-house. more terrible than the truth. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'And the work?' in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "It looks newer than the other things?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "No." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either happened." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom begin with, and I had not got mine yet." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Then what has happened to him?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding without success. At last the little money which I had saved began were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first very morning of my second wedding." note?" "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many key turn in the lock." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I never have." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "You know me, then?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "I don't believe it." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin absolutely follow my advice in every respect." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped eavesdroppers?' five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "And you don't know his address?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt when you have done it." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace