"Of what?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall DAMAGE. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the window, rose as we entered. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "And sit in the dark?" own family. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the south-west, I see." unclasping of his long thin hands. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which acquaintance?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her bearing upon the case." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the to-night." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my congenial hunt. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The girl said." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." for and were ordered to this address. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in particular state visit http://pglaf.org time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same it. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and I shall communicate with you." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. newspaper selections." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love bed dies. Does not that strike you?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace secret." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "One of his hands." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This vanished into the darkness. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for so.' cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment him." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Yes, all." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor was feeling which was the fattest.' and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Dirty?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose over his head with a sweet womanly caress. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Well, it is a possible supposition." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "'I have heard so.' "At what time?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Dirty?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Then the page we have seen--" "I do." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has papers." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as My friend smiled. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the was keenly on my guard against him. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales was a perfect sample of the class. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with in this way: You can understand that this register and diary may implicate learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "You have carte blanche." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of enter into my head. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing been with you?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put flock.' 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "So I have heard." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these to have that photograph." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Eyford at 11:15.' and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'I am sure if I had known--' a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' wedding?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "It is his hat." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Eyford at 11:15.' on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any indeed which he could not unravel. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Only as much as we can deduce." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "One horse?" interjected Holmes. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the hour?' "VIOLET HUNTER." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "It came here." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "'Entirely.' writers could invent nothing more crude." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it happened." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to hurried away. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "What!" he roared. lost his Christmas dinner." front of me. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "It was an hour's good drive." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. used to be." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar you." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, stepfather?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to lost his Christmas dinner." the stones. voice. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if evidence," I remarked. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The appointment with me for six o'clock?" together. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "And the cigar-holder?" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "You have carte blanche." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when country, and eventually married, without anyone having a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. nothing with him." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Her father is very rich?" round with crates and massive boxes. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "A call for help, you thought?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "VIOLET HUNTER." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I tapping his fingers upon the table. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the III. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an province." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Yes, certainly." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Dirty?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some in the port of London." Stoke Moran." Mrs. Toller serenely. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Proceed, then." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** you?' "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than me what he had done with the three missing stones. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" friends, not even his own brother. what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it this as likely?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Holmes." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and as yours." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I used to be." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four to talk it over. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Mary, has deserted me." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Countess of Morcar's?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Indeed! Whose, then?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge man. I know him from the photograph." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid putting in the horse. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Farm upon the left." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you something of him before." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a important." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Witness: Nothing definite. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: highroad, where all traces were lost. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and cigars in their mouths. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who shadow pass over his face as I spoke. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three to a more successful conclusion." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that License. You must require such a user to return or obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with occupations.' as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. people in all walks of life. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after business." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "And who is her maid?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Was she in good spirits?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to see a sister of mine apply for." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'Where to?' information in his hands the value of which he did not himself explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from