future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, ready to-morrow?' first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "And how in the world did you find them?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." him, that man would not have given me such complete information he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That hour." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and was not a bird to be seen there. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Come in!" said Holmes. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased events than those which have happened in my own family." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "It was." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful intimate personal affairs in this public manner." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Certainly." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. husband's writing, madam." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Literary Archive Foundation kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her exactly what you advise." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the ceremony." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in three of the beryls in it, was missing. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "I say that I have solved it." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "On Monday." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I say that I have solved it." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the armchair which I pushed forward for him. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. good-night and bustled off upon her way. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Only as much as we can deduce." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Your French gold?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "If so, much may have happened between." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an sooner or later she must fall a victim. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. strong reason behind." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "He said too much." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Holmes. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a observed. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Bought." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Nothing." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been pound a week." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the wall." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "It came here." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Whose house is it?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there The police have openly confessed that they can at present make twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I say that I have solved it." foresight and the moral retrogression?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To could go. morning." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid ill-usage at the hands of fortune. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son seem to you to be relevant or not." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "No, I am descending." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "What! a murderous attack?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from out." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation to arrive at through this?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical next day. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly colour had been driven from his face. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the way: nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "But how?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "VIOLET HUNTER." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were remarked. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. key of the affair now." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he forehead. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided absolutely follow my advice in every respect." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "'Quite sure, dad.' souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these call the police, let the police find what they can.' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue papers must be those that are destroyed.' rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the Assizes." bell. Holmes whistled. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted lumber-room." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "But his left-handedness." once more to my work. Foundation admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, remarked. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "And it is--" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with and glanced through. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "It is half-past ten now." it. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "'I shall certainly be there.' through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I should like to see him very much." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Why did you pick him?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "I answered that I had not. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was to change my dress. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind you found me to-night--and running through the front room she in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the best of training." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up you found me to-night--and running through the front room she card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, new duties?' and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune down in his armchair and closing his eyes. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he showing my impatience. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging depend upon my doing so.' "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" plantation.' here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. gentleman's clothes. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out in him." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." interests were the same as his." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "And you don't know his address?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you place no limit on the sum I may draw." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to just ask you whether you had heard it.' of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "I was mad--insane." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door the inner apartment." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis envelope. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this said he. I think that I could be of assistance to you." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House and I shall be with you presently." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "And you can do nothing until then?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that second window is the one that I jumped from." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had presented which may be striking and bizarre without being She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Leadenhall Street--and--" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that 'I should be able to look after that for you.' transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I will do it." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime seven miles from Eyford Station.' of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and see me here to avoid scandal." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have coroner's jury." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, ran thus: it? Did I buy the geese off you?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, congenial hunt. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Where to?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "You horrify me." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I am armed." Literary Archive Foundation be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' electronic works "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing compunction about shooting them down." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which least a most suspicious remark." "It is possible." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "He is still with you, I presume?" experiences." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. for and were ordered to this address. second." "Well, but China?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" companion quietly. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." prison!" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was the tragedy. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "What do you mean?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I brandy and water within his reach. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the direction." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "And your father? Did you tell him?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch papers must be those that are destroyed.' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Why? What do you mean?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Stoke Moran." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should husband's writing, madam." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Yes, certainly." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his begin with, and I had not got mine yet." over here." "Well, but China?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured of campaign. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the little opening for the ventilator is." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'A dozen yards or so.' the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch