backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Serpentine Avenue. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the 1.E.9. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door round and wave him away like that.' has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Have you her photograph?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light key of the affair now." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the iron safe, which he closed upon it. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'Is purely nominal.' has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Precisely." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet go--none." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the future lives." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after call for it in person on Monday morning.' deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the address that was given us in the advertisement. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, keep the flames under. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "That was it, sir." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and forecastle of an emigrant ship. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Which surely he restored to their owner?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Pray do so." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Holmes. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions extraordinary contortions. "'Yes.' "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in fishes. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice coroner's jury." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "But it has twice been burgled." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk new duties?' "Yes, it was twisted." all that?" better in every way that they should make their position a little have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of such person." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major leave you to your papers for a little." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "My last client of the sort was a king." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible spark where all is dark to me." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered upon the sideboard." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he intimate personal affairs in this public manner." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, there was no need for father to know." undoubtedly my uncle's." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Yes, the wine-cellar." highroad, where all traces were lost. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my fact, we may call it conclusive." the address that was given us in the advertisement. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your him and tried to hold him back. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face bonnet, and went out." "Pray do so." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "It is half-past ten now." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of things are very often connected not with the larger but with the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Yes." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from dead, shall be safe with us." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would cause to be." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "'You doubt its value?' he asked. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite this as likely?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Frequently." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, secret." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings our word." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Yes." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute your most interesting statement." stepfather?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my said he. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a if only as a check to my own memory." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy events than those which have happened in my own family." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De simple cases which are so extremely difficult." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. to-night's adventure." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "It missed him, then?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my you for a few hours?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "It was a confession," I ejaculated. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front you." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "And from a noble client?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which very morning of my second wedding." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm out." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too infinite languor in his face. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "What! a murderous attack?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. outsides of the windows. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some woman." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when distinguish the words: him." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper train from Paddington which would bring you there at about formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "If so, much may have happened between." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no I shall continue with my miserable story. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. remarked. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'I have heard so.' "Yes." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we begun to whiten, even as mine has." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate and effective." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "It came here." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "No, thank goodness, she did not." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Yes, sir." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of suddenly upon us." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Again Holmes raved in the air. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making individual and becomes the badge of a society." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" young Openshaw's." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the disturbance in my wife." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you chair. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "And leave your case unfinished?" "'Why that?' I asks. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. to a light-house. I. feature." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "His face fell immediately. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and his knees, staring into the fire. and all of them with the keenest interest. morning." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for I have it here in my museum." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. gone before you can get him to hospital." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." you." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "He said too much." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a formed some opinion?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At anything to a woman, for she would have her way." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." bonnet, and went out." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out night.' said he. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from breakfast?" girl said." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to relief. pictures, libraries, or plate. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. me. You must get home instantly and act." better in every way that they should make their position a little conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Murdered?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "They are typewritten," I remarked. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until purpose equally well?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." persecution?" "So I am. Very much so." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm I approached. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the not as remarkable as your advertisement." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or vault. "I should be immensely obliged to you." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "What is it, then--a fire?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, But Holmes shook his head gravely. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really cigars in their mouths. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "When did she vanish, then?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "What then?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." you." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique go from here to the Strand." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the kindly on the shoulder. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her wedding?" all-comprehensive glances. been able to understand it, in a very few words. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this simple cases which are so extremely difficult." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you putting in the horse. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been writers could invent nothing more crude." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique photograph?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." bell. Holmes whistled. the coroner come to?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For points in connection with it which never have been, and probably vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Nothing." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter hurried away. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised carpenter." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Yes, sir." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "No, my brougham is waiting." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "But to whom?" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "I will, Miss Turner."