your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Nearly eleven." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the very letters. But what is this written above them?' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. one's self under obligations.' the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "The landlord of the Alpha." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "But to whom?" "You think so, too?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman one of the states of the Union." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an woman who has had her own way to make in the world. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "I am armed." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of a monotonous occupation." "'Certainly not.' I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." that you can jump it.' If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case coroner's jury." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect late!' be sorry for having acted so harshly." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, from you?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'And the work?' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have friends, not even his own brother. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Why did you pick him?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and telegram would bring me down to your help." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "It is a murder, then?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "I will not look." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman chamber." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. indiscretion." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Lestrade of Scotland Yard." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "But you can know nothing of this?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with words came to my lips. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Then what has happened to him?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "There are none." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil business at Coburg Square is serious." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few official police." will take you up to see the machine.' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it noble correspondent could be. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the sake, don't!" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Certainly." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "What, then, did Peterson do?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Come in!" said Holmes. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one chemical work which was so dear to him. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "I am about to be married." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, said I. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed my room." allusion to a rat. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to purpose equally well?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "How can you tell that?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but approach us with offers to donate. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Quite so." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by it." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the tragedy. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search you found me to-night--and running through the front room she come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Of Friday, June 19th." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. are windows in it, of course?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you sound at heart." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit *** START: FULL LICENSE *** profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." mysterious business." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their showing my impatience. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Murdered?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the walking." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Yes, only one." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "And is that all?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose of them has the shutters up.' drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." was not a bird to be seen there. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me with her." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from cost them two and thirty pounds." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. disappearance of the bride.'" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Nearly eleven." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I some place of shelter and let the county police know what has of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the whether it answered to the description of any of their "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "You think so, too?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable vanished into the darkness. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" me. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" as yours." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying society." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, appeared upon the scene." a monotonous occupation." "But of what society?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Then, how do you know?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or his knees, staring into the fire. "To an end?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with situation." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Quite so. She has her freedom." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the south-west, I see." "'Stolen!' he cried. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he status with the IRS. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered one which it was hard to resist. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Of Friday, June 19th." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, questioning and rather startled gaze. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "No, finished." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King giving me time to thank him. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Not him." I shall continue with my miserable story. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Imitated." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain bill, which interests me deeply." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very of a light. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, husband's writing, madam." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend shaken than I had ever seen him. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "What then?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "It came here." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "'No, I know no one in these parts.' relief. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot wanted for ourselves." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Holmes rather sternly. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my four million human beings all jostling each other within the "To the police?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through better grown goose." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the dangers which encompass me." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Watson," he said cordially. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and telegram would bring me down to your help." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a kindly on the shoulder. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. that threaten you." was keenly on my guard against him. for and were ordered to this address. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' astonishment. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will felt?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I never have." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Yes." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Then you may entirely rely on me." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I have solved it." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even seen the man in the road." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia all-comprehensive glances. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the dangers which encompass me." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, to-night?' tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Come in!" said Holmes. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him disappearance of the bride.'" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought hard-headed British jury." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never infinite languor in his face. "The Coroner: What do you mean? was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the so-precious time, but come!' such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney redistribution. had this final quarrel? know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "The vanishing of the lady." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked wife's character?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried himself. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they question you as to those details which seem to me to be most that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any present." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and already been minutely examined." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "What can it mean?" I gasped. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Then you may entirely rely on me." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. despaired of." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in You want to know what became of those geese?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Just look it up, then." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Certainly." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a fait accompli?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less like that before?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have to-night?" I asked. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how strong and stiff." must be when I saw the door open.' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle