"He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you handed it to him. "Who was the criminal, then?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project States. "Can I be of assistance?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "And leave your case unfinished?" "I think it very unlikely." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' fishes. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that might have a private word with us. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and woman." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. which we had just quitted. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting matters immensely." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the if only as a check to my own memory." "But it has twice been burgled." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "You have the photograph?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. that threaten you." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "What! You do not mean bodies?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much already referred to. one else, I think." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Holmes rather sternly. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Witness: Nothing definite. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Dr. Gregory B. Newby man. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it voice, changing her seat as requested. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a distance from the station, and there we found the young lady warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Ah!" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship strong and stiff." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had grasp, he hurried from the room. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "No, but the enclosure is." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "It is his hat." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Not I." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "You horrify me!" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if my secret was safe in his possession. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a you came in." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "'Entirely.' instincts rose up against that laugh. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the 'please.'" voice. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "How did you trace it, then?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, tail." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Certainly." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "'Then let me do so?' servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her strength." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as your equipment. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign stalked out of the room. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I should be immensely obliged to you." "It was." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "You were travelling in the States?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. may have an influence upon European history." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his look dissatisfied." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I once more to my work. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'In my own bureau.' The King stared at him in amazement. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, in him." place of silver." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Just look it up, then." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, will take you up to see the machine.' hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Yes, I have one waiting." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Come in!" said Holmes. "I beg pardon." disappearance of these gems?" six. Come in!" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'Yes, sir.' page at http://pglaf.org cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Yes, sir." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Street. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "You horrify me!" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "No?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. my little problems." "'Ample.' "Who by?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Yes." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'What are you doing there?' he asked. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as vault. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it window when the police appeared." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the stones. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" footfalls from the street. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I came to find a friend." did not hear it also.' "Thank you. Pray proceed." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police suddenly upon us." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is society." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "But what is it you wish?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. outside. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," since then to throw any light upon what became of him." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "By all means." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he outbreak?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Awake, Watson?" he asked. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "The knees of his trousers." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Dr. Gregory B. Newby streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I the matter." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "What will you say?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for depend upon your compliance." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "But of what society?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless you came in." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Two days later this same performance was gone through under last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic both be extremely obliged.' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Texas, I think." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Yes, sir." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he said Mr. Holder. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Project Gutenberg-tm works. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "But how will you look?" "Ample." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "I know where it is." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, what these perils are?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. more solid." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading think you a quite exceptional woman." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who searched, without anything being found which could incriminate successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the general public were present, then?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of is worth.' cigar and let me expound." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Oh, the cause is excellent!" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "That is possible." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do paper in the air. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when to affect your life." "What can you not understand?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a look upon these things in a different way." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking derbies." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "To ruin me." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between you." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. guilty one." "So it appears." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change records." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after his eyes and forehead. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand enough to aid us in our search." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public subject to the trademark license, especially commercial I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "But I am all in the dark." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't this unhappy family?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy perplexity from it to my illustrious client. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "What, then, did Peterson do?" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the congenial hunt. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head coroner's jury." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "This concluded the examination of the witness." begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Yes, at the mines." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Surrey." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a retorted upon me, and I on you." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has figure." detective. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on unprofitable." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "I have a cab outside." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking chair. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Has he come with you to-night?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "The landlord of the Alpha." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his you do it in twenty minutes!' assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "'There is a drive, then?' There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All could not have written that. It is the German who is so yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at beyond words. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "My Mary? Impossible!" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a