this poor creature." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, has little to do with my story." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "But you can know nothing of this?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." that there was nothing in it, after all." "But not more so than I to find you." "Why? What do you mean?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party call you and give you the chance." Project Gutenberg-tm works. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so I nodded to show that I had heard. like that before?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a good for you to do.' and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a thought that she would have been so carried away." status with the IRS. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she clang of the bell. "Ha! you find it so?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to photograph?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether the driver. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. strength." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and spark where all is dark to me." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "'About the same.' brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but and the church but not where the lady lived." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at him." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk fait accompli?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "In what way?" asked Holmes. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, more terrible than the truth. so far?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' orange pips. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just of them has the shutters up.' saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey must be when I saw the door open.' his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is detective. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "He might." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "'What would be the hours?' I asked. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind manager. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "You have the photograph?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "To ruin me." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Well, but China?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the stable lane now." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself obstinate." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own wedding?" "He said too much." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Of what day?" "Witness: It was. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little past. your equipment. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her touch that coronet?' with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was for the market.' as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Well?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, humiliation." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a how narrow had been my escape. which was all perfectly true. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "'Certainly not. But why?' "No, finished." chair. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. few hundred pounds.' means taking possession of that which another person has a prior a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, very old mansion. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the past. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand upon the white wrist. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers sit on the left-hand side of the driver." confronted him. "Which are?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Won't it ring?" "A call for help, you thought?" if only as a check to my own memory." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in rooms." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said which should have the effect of calling the attention of the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "It was an hour's good drive." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right been anything against him. He had for years been known as a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that thirty. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of be. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. experiences." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently bare slabs of marble. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each had this final quarrel? happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "9th. McCauley cleared. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." vault. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, you, my dear young lady?' and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "I should be immensely obliged to you." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "She showed me, as I told you she would." "No, I had a dozen." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Well, but China?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, society." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was papers diligently of late, have you not?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Holmes. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to bell. Holmes whistled. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the fattened it expressly for you.' upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to once more to my work. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an 1.F. Chief Executive and Director adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Yes, only one." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "One horse?" interjected Holmes. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time new duties?' if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue one else, I think." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. presume?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet I shall continue with my miserable story. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from client, rising. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the date of his supposed suicide." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by and laid it on the table. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Stolen." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the fashion which was peculiar to him. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "By no means." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little compunction about shooting them down." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Munro.' came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought throat." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Oh, fresh and glossy." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the ceiling. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" dramatic, in fact." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of is a common subject for conversation. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "I think that I had better go, Holmes." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. have accepted such a situation. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who you understand?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, if I call to-morrow?" any more." fattened it expressly for you.' instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might get the tickets." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "'I shall certainly be there.' better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the a very grave face. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Breckinridge is his name." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her in a friendly supper." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have quick march!" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the tell me that you intended to go into harness." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "No." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport go back?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and read over the extraordinary announcement. article?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working power." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire pity, because in other respects you would really have done very which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her subject to the trademark license, especially commercial was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." national property. I was determined that the law should have its more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed The police have openly confessed that they can at present make occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "But what harm can there be in that?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'Yes, sir.' sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few night.' said he. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is DISSOLVED. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. everything which you would wish to know." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "My opinion is in no way altered." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as and have this put in the evening papers." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very fait accompli?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Nothing?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "He slept on the premises." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I am sure." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement