younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered over his head with a sweet womanly caress. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "What, then, did Peterson do?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were at home. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "I was mad--insane." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Perfectly so." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself matter." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it You want to know what became of those geese?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the unkempt, staring out at me. "Married! When?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Why did you pick him?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, disappearance of these gems?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is as noiselessly as she had come. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Now, then, what's the last entry?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Why did you pick him?" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and introspective fashion. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you your own bird, so if you wish--" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs clang of the bell. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and if I call to-morrow?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of do.' down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than arms and began to sob in a high treble key. upon the white wrist. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "About a month then." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker before, for it was considerably after midnight. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Certainly." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which companion quietly. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "At what time?" "How about poison?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him quickly through a disagreeable task. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the night.' "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Yes." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from present strange and interesting features that it is no easy business in the City. She little knew what. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "He disappeared so suddenly." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which the station." "Very. But will he see it?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his it were putty." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a asked. careless servant girl?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his of Mr. Rucastle's." words came to my lips. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me and all of them with the keenest interest. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips way in." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project answered with a sidelong glance. "I see many objections to any such theory." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I answered that I had not. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "But I have heard all that you have heard." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your would apply.' you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just your equipment. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "The rest you will leave in our hands." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his suggested at once that there must be a communication between the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the house with me." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'Certainly not.' the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third walking." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "What?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the for and were ordered to this address. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the the Assizes." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was yards of it?' remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for fasten all the windows?" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Why, what do you mean?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "But what will you do?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "And how did you verify them?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." money should be paid at once.' "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Yes, the wine-cellar." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a hardly wander." presume?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, which our visitor detailed to us. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "How often?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and in a friendly supper." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. we went to search for him, face downward in a little has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, laugh and put his lips to my ear. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, reach." opened the door, and slipped through. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "He slept on the premises." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried salesman. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "No, I think that I'll take it." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. plantation.' your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "But the mystery?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself these bleak autumnal evenings." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he south, for the country is more deserted there." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Was he the only applicant?" answer." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "You did not overhear what they said?" 'please.'" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your was feeling which was the fattest.' his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man danger is over." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady have established a very serious case against the son of the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on careless servant girl?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I warn you that they are very incomplete." just ask you whether you had heard it.' now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "At what time?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the whether it answered to the description of any of their away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Stolen." putting in the horse. "Your sister is dead, then?" instituted." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips children over to America with him, so that I found myself without 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Awake, Watson?" he asked. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a soul! here is her carriage at the door." you." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable fuss that is made over them." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "I have my revolver," said I. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you despair." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this handed it to him. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "But his left-handedness." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, province." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all death." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Gutenberg-tm License. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head past. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "I say that I have solved it." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." child?' "I have seen the police." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as chance." "'And what salary do you ask?' was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was maiden herself was most instructive." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Certainly." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, said he. the side-table." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Did he not advertise?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your village inn over there?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, outside." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "It is to him that this trophy belongs." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black said I. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." families. Now for the facts. all?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "And I." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than towards the blaze. "I am about to be married." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "What office?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a him to be an active member of the medical profession." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were figure." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you everything which you would wish to know." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have front of the hall door has given its name to the place. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Because he was handy and would come cheap." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful know all about it," he snarled. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a read over the extraordinary announcement. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged unprofitable." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical house for five minutes.' "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Did you observe the colour?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." on in his house." the stable lane now." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and placed his cuttings. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and