"It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Not in the least." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all you." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Yes, sir." new duties?' "My stepfather's business papers." investigation." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "No." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the date of his supposed suicide." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "'I have heard so.' TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "We have tried and failed." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up fluttered off among the others. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I cannot say that I have." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, was a lad." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to to-morrow." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "'About the same.' thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "'Never.' dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Why, it's a dummy," said he. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were must be when I saw the door open.' in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over may never be exposed to such a temptation." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the house with me." "Entirely." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "You think that he is dead?" "Quite so." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet presented which may be striking and bizarre without being slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "What then?" in the port of London." "What have you to say now?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "What have you to say now?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "None." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Where, then?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot her also." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "And what did you see?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "None. Neville wrote those words." go from here to the Strand." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is that threaten you." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "9th. McCauley cleared. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "But of what society?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and be. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, you?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes answered with a sidelong glance. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "But he might be a bachelor." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project fear." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "It looks newer than the other things?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" been." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing depend upon my doing so.' as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of do.' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, good for you to do.' of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "At half-wages, in fact." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Yes." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "How are you getting on?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Will you go?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as to you." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly I was concerned in it." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some as the one I chose?' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." hardly wander." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you who was a member of your goose club." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider what I may call a really hard day's work." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. easy-going way." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was brought there to personate someone, and the real person is hereditary King of Bohemia." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round DISSOLVED. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Your presence might be invaluable." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Pope's Court. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be room had already been engaged for us. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old lost his Christmas dinner." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If nights." "But he might be a bachelor." beyond words. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at gbnewby@pglaf.org playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Not social, then?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is think that any burglar could have done. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three money should be paid at once.' Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation without success. At last the little money which I had saved began note?" friends, not even his own brother. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. how narrow had been my escape. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "That sounds a little paradoxical." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "I am armed." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but must compliment you." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were one of them." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the ashen face. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's unkempt, staring out at me. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "And the cigar-holder?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days crime. remarked. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Ha! you find it so?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. his wife has ceased to love him." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such unclasping of his long thin hands. "What! a murderous attack?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "What?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." despaired of." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are present." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, a monotonous occupation." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as long narrative. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "I should like to see him very much." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "I was afraid that you were engaged." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Very murderous indeed." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you seen the man in the road." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done affair. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular will find little credit to be gained out of this case." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." there." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "No, I think that I'll take it." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Yes." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor that?' it." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in until night should bring an explanation. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable again before evening." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the leaning back in his chair. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "The knees of his trousers." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue useful material for showing traces. The double line a little platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "When did it break out?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort ceremony." so far?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out peculiar to him. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to throat." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Yes." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house DISSOLVED. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical congratulate you again." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." companion. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my is worth.' "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the warnings." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Which are?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Come in!" said he. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "But you can know nothing of this?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was fait accompli?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Seven!" I answered. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "What!" he roared. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my to Leatherhead. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, you." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Yes, but only for you and me." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the this poor creature." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Then you may be so with me." "So I am. Very much so." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which of your young ladies.' moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his orange pips. that threaten you." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Countess of Morcar's?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "At half-wages, in fact." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with