with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the father's young wife. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the I shall continue with my miserable story. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the This is what he says: wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "You have a clue?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Game for a morning drive?" Farm upon the left." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "None. Neville wrote those words." morning." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after business at Coburg Square is serious." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "But how?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to that you saw all that I did." DAMAGE. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Upon what point?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. His smile broadened. events, Mr. Windibank!" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Awake, Watson?" he asked. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said carriage. It was a chestnut." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for salesman. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the friend's singular character. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my hour." "But he might be a bachelor." "You have the photograph?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Ha! you find it so?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "I see no marks." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "He said too much." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "That is it on the dressing-table." the roots. "What! Had he lost his wife?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "'Where could I find him?' knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled have an American origin." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. through." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "How did that help you?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he tension within him. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "That is also quite modern," said the lady. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into arrangements." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Then I shall certainly come." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in mystery may be cleared along those lines." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and night.' said he. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet me upon any point which I do not make clear." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you help us in this matter." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet tear off another piece?' but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time disappearance of the bride.'" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." three fields round his house, and there he would take his lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "I cannot think." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Why did you beat the pavement?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own must be when I saw the door open.' (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the other means.' said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of go back?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they strong and stiff." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. seem to you to be relevant or not." he died? reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me your equipment. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the eavesdroppers?' provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "To the police?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old again on its way. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I do." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." companion. gone. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its Does that suggest anything?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "A client, then?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty interests were the same as his." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "What then?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the weighed down with some great anxiety. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in pierced for earrings?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge The police have openly confessed that they can at present make shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "No, but the enclosure is." views." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Leadenhall Street--and--" ashen face. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from asked with his eyes open. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'Quite sure, dad.' not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would so far?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have his knees, staring into the fire. Munro.' one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Of what day?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which you found me to-night--and running through the front room she for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of me." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a these bleak autumnal evenings." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "We were both in the photograph." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Then what has happened to him?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of events, Mr. Windibank!" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the coronet in his hands?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "A confidential servant?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we pound a week." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "And it is--" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "And how did you verify them?" the coronet in his hands?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; emerged. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "You horrify me." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: could not have written that. It is the German who is so pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are You want to know what became of those geese?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Whose house is it?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'You cannot say what it was?' his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; his huge brown hands. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, he died? at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of article?" cigars in their mouths. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked a monotonous occupation." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "The King of Scandinavia." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were becomes even more simple." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might The King stared at him in amazement. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be stammered. "That is possible." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "It looks newer than the other things?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Your presence might be invaluable." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his him, that man would not have given me such complete information business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative most interesting one." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Pray continue your narrative." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Of what?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Then you may be so with me." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "The knees of his trousers." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and pressing in one house as in another. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever tapping his fingers upon the table. dear old homesteads?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "'Ten to two.' what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both vanished into the darkness. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.