to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her are, and they are waiting for us." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first asked. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, may have an influence upon European history." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "BALLARAT." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met mysterious end." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when burst into a hearty fit of laughter. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the depend upon my doing so.' "Deserted you?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "And how in the world did you find them?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I appeal." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable bird of prey. It may be so in this case, also." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "How are you getting on?" "I fear not." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "But his lameness?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in it were putty." than was visible to me." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is IS "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the chill to my heart. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties within hail.' kind enough to tell me what I should do." yet." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. whole matter to your consideration." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "It is very clear." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "I have seen the police." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing away into the river." "I will, Miss Turner." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Countess of Morcar's?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "What can it mean?" I gasped. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic drove away. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Was your sister dressed?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any floor. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of in a friendly supper." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "No bad?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a this remarkable episode. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "A call for help, you thought?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence it." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "It surprised me." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Certainly." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "It is no ordinary one." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter this man was intellectual?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the derbies." the ceiling. "Then, as to money?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For should be so warm over such a trifle." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up a very grave face. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Come in!" said Holmes. not personally threatened." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I heavy and sharp instrument." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the one of the states of the Union." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I have my revolver," said I. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "None." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but wedding?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, that I may have something better before very many minutes are and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "I promise," said Holmes. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good in his hands." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his subject to the trademark license, especially commercial They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Stoke Moran." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he been shamefully used." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I strength in the others." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and and have this put in the evening papers." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow to Leatherhead. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the inquest, and which are worth considering." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to sooner or later she must fall a victim. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than several quiet little villages up there." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. it right.' "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then skylight. "Then the page we have seen--" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "My dear Holmes!" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found danger is over." official police." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. writer." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated to have that photograph." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the inner apartment." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "I guessed as much." ceremony." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said power." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Why did you pick him?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, nights." own family. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very presented more singular features than that which was associated of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'Most admirably.' "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for friend's singular character. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, article?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, redistribution. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it highroad, where all traces were lost. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I am following you closely," I answered. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the loss of it. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "His face fell immediately. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies papers diligently of late, have you not?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good at home. affair. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "How do you know, then?" our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your sufficient punishment." Stoke Moran." "Well, but China?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "'And the work?' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The it right.' "Absolutely none." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering lamp in his hand. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." charged with?" there is a decided draught." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but man. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'Yes, sir.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "What office?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "It may not come to that," said Holmes. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat drove away. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come certainly not very gracious." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." be there in time for your coming." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in undoubtedly my uncle's." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the His name is Francis Prosper." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington manager. "Then you may be so with me." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing chemical work which was so dear to him. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable my little problems." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his noise which awoke you from your sleep?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Did you become engaged then?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut will find little credit to be gained out of this case." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "And what then?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are detective. highroad, where all traces were lost. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the lamp. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from before the coroner and the police-court." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, it." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather four million human beings all jostling each other within the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be