request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Get out!" said he. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "In answer to an advertisement." straighten it?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, appointment with me for six o'clock?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Ha! you find it so?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door astonishment. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. made him keep the appointment." know what is wrong with it.' was feeling which was the fattest.' Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated least a most suspicious remark." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Come in!" said he. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to chill to my heart. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only examine." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who wedding?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others shag which I had seen upon the previous night. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "My last client of the sort was a king." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross question," said Holmes, smiling. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the room?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by October 9, 1890. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "And what then?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "You think so, too?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again might help us?" was it brought him the coronet? has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with lamp. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Yes. He waved his hands." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and was already answered. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between vault. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given opened a pocket-book and took out a note. only touch the interest." to that open window." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Stolen." to affect your life." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang you." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "But you can know nothing of this?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with yards of it?' and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours depend upon my doing so.' "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional could not account in any way for the presence of the missing companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "'I have heard so.' "'And the work?' heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Stolen, then." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Has he come with you to-night?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw over part of the map. "What do you read?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "At half-wages, in fact." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "How do you know, then?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should furiously. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Yes." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and as this. Pray let me have the details." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently floor. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round as this. Pray let me have the details." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, his face. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of that you can jump it.' save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, What do you deduce from it?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. little trying to do so much typewriting?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that will not take me long to tell. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face me have 200 pounds?' peculiar to him. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "'Very good.' an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "And that is--" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. and put his glass in his pocket. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "It is half-past ten now." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where your Highness to the police-station?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' awaited us upon the table. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand own family. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its the tragedy. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That begin with, and I had not got mine yet." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to in my life." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not door?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord straighten it?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to speckled band?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the said Mr. Holder. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "The gentleman I describe." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone of Fenchurch Street." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "And I." you do it in twenty minutes!' "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and I shall be with you presently." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the coronet in his hands?" "What do you mean?" carried out of court." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the again on its way. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "By no means." "Then he might have called to you?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "What I expected to see." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds with you alone." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see way in everything. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away himself. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch which our visitor detailed to us. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Certainly." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other highly," said Holmes. Pope's Court. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. furiously. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Not in the least." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, coat-tails." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Gutenberg-tm License. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was he died? description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety you." the loss of it. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an young Openshaw's." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, over here." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "No good news?" Holmes." "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" look dissatisfied." infinite languor in his face. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "What are they?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Street. next day. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight galvanised. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "But not more so than I to find you." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "What then?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming my little problems." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An directors have had misgivings upon the subject." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "I fear not." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to clanging. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "What I expected to see." enough to aid us in our search." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "This photograph!" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and http://gutenberg.net/license). pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all there in twenty minutes." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set hour." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "No, distinctly professional." "Yes, it would be as well." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and noble correspondent could be. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Did your wife hear all this?" "I see many objections to any such theory." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "And why?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Indeed! Whose, then?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we crime. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "But the mystery?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident outsides of the windows. call the police, let the police find what they can.' window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations kindly on the shoulder. October 9, 1890. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "You horrify me." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The annoyance, but no jest. "Yes, I have one waiting." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Pray do so." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I was sure that I might rely on you." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man status with the IRS. remarked. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible not, dad?" she asked. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great