With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My my special province." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet his face which made him a very different person to the round, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you beg that you will break it off." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case whole matter to your consideration." "'Yes, I promise.' Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but sooner or later she must fall a victim. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "'No, I know no one in these parts.' plantation.' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was hurried by. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Yes, from Horsham." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come lectures into a series of tales." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination I nodded again. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "It surprised me." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the nights." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the already referred to. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Do you go out much in society?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "How did he come?" bill, which interests me deeply." felt?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "I shall most certainly do so." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that http://gutenberg.net/license). research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK himself. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, against a man in the prime of life?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty instincts rose up against that laugh. "He is still with you, I presume?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "At what time?" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow carriage. It was a chestnut." seem to you to be relevant or not." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her of this gang." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "I have my revolver," said I. awaited us upon the table. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." business?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and you, my dear young lady?' rooms." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to you." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me hurried away. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up you give your casting vote to?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Then I do not see the point." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself help us in this matter." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was in him." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Edgeware Road. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, national property. I was determined that the law should have its that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Yes, all." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate details." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Quite so." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." forehead. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Was she in good spirits?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" second." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "'And the work?' was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the ceiling. second window is the one that I jumped from." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining is entirely a question of barometric pressure." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "And is that all?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the inner apartment." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing is a common subject for conversation. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. vault. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's girl said." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity closing the door. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "'Certainly not. But why?' scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them to arrive at through this?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "No." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most that his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think children over to America with him, so that I found myself without her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very bare slabs of marble. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic fear." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman the window, rose as we entered. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first province." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Was he the only applicant?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door III. on in his house." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." the night.' think you a quite exceptional woman." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a empty. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. The King stared at him in amazement. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Street. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "The gentleman I describe." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Yes, sir." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Witness: I must still refuse. The King stared at him in amazement. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. here." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "But what will you do?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "The Coroner: What do you mean? The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior the window, rose as we entered. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook you give your casting vote to?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "That is easily got." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Leave Paddington by the 11:15." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Oh, fresh and glossy." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora 1.E.9. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for attention." been able to understand it, in a very few words. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate question you as to those details which seem to me to be most I have it here in my museum." dramatic, in fact." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some presume?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has will take you up to see the machine.' "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." not, dad?" she asked. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and is worth.' the tragedy. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "One?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Did you become engaged then?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried woman." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "To ruin me." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." handed it to him. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "How often?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "'Yes, it was gone.' daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to American. Then who could this American be, and why should he way in." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My papers must be those that are destroyed.' any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily up this clue while it is still hot." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the so-precious time, but come!' nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to writing, and yet I know it well." Miss Holder?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Is he quiet?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he shag which I had seen upon the previous night. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." fashion which was peculiar to him. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Do you go out much in society?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no more terrible than the truth. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very cheerful." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have seen the man in the road." voice. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would made his money." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is