perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not him, that man would not have given me such complete information impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "That also I could fathom." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" cost them two and thirty pounds." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Where did you address your letters, then?" astonishment. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Why did you pick him?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's works. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "And that is--" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this present." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his standing smiling on the door-step. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, hard-headed British jury." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their gbnewby@pglaf.org were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Well, some hundreds of times." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "How many? I don't know." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in The police have openly confessed that they can at present make I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a a suggestive one." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that second window is the one that I jumped from." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. obstinate." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. said Mr. Holder. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in that the inquest, and which are worth considering." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "You heard nothing yourself last night?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "In the cells." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the the matter." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "No, finished." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. lectures into a series of tales." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. been deceived." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "And I to find an enemy." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such death." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "You think that he is dead?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "He is dead," cried several voices. "'I am sure if I had known--' gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door indeed which he could not unravel. good for you to do.' "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed south, for the country is more deserted there." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows British peeress.'" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without business matters.' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" touch that coronet?' afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "And when will you call?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was suspect him." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. official police." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "You horrify me." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "And you thought he was pulled back?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "To ruin me." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then upon the sideboard." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "No." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may of your young ladies.' "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is The note was undated, and without either signature or address. voice, changing her seat as requested. "Very truly yours, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "You have a clue?" acquaintance?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our if I call to-morrow?" "Nearly eleven." will he say when he returns?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of the side-table." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "'In my own bureau.' charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he examination of the premises, but without finding anything which I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I never have." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Well, it is a possible supposition." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys wedding?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "And who is her maid?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the King without delay." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "You think that he is dead?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." go from here to the Strand." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "So I am. Very much so." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up if only as a check to my own memory." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. back into the street. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. may have an influence upon European history." "I am sure." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty and no precautions can guard against." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and towards the blaze. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Holmes rather sternly. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down depend upon my doing so.' the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very a monotonous occupation." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "But to whom?" would apply.' at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled my room." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are during which he might have communicated with his friend the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in it." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor already referred to. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the McCarthy's innocence. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a said he at last. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Arthur Conan Doyle him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "And what then?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, a little more before I quite committed myself. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "None." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I man. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry quick march!" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "It is solved." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Foundation The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior woven round him. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it other, as fresh and trim as possible. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his touch that coronet?' it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the situation." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an face and glided from the room. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my six. Come in!" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Holmes' thin, eager face. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of promised to bring home. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left forehead. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good as the one I chose?' white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." bearing upon the case." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Yes, sir." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It to tell." "Come in!" said he. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in client, rising. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' of." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the best of training." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter promised to bring home. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "And when will you call?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his nonsense.' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most in a very precise fashion." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' of Mr. Rucastle's." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "No." front of me. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat business." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I am following you closely," I answered. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "You saw the ventilator, too?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we II. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Countess of Morcar's?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you morning." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in think that he is innocent?" the very morning of the wedding." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. presume?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on what I may call a really hard day's work." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Very murderous indeed." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been down from London to inquire more deeply into it." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that who was a member of your goose club." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Frequently." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." wedding?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her back into the street. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE present." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, call for it in person on Monday morning.' hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "What have you to say now?" him nearly every evening." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious some water from a caraffe. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have of the efforts of the United States government and of the better base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "One of the highest in England." "May I see it?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the second window is the one that I jumped from." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that coat-tails." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a photograph a cabinet?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington conduct the inquiry." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? think, you have already met." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I where we are going." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady,