I nodded again. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." said he. tear off another piece?' come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the room while you explain this matter?" I was concerned in it." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met only touch the interest." "'How far from the body?' "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking young Openshaw's." served to weaken the effect. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go presented which may be striking and bizarre without being realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither would apply.' For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Well, it is a possible supposition." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "And why?" are, I think, all that we need." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and situation." death." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her pity, because in other respects you would really have done very There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would you do it in twenty minutes!' "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' read over the extraordinary announcement. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I For additional contact information: figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too The King stared at him in amazement. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or entirely lost his self-respect." bill, which interests me deeply." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Holmes' room. posted to-day." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who noise which awoke you from your sleep?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of tension within him. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "You have carte blanche." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to that you wished to speak to me?' the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the tragedy. "Have you it here?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were opened the door, and slipped through. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for it." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, confronted him. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have be.' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you will he say when he returns?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well trying to your nerves." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Gutenberg-tm License. "Then I can wait in the next room." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be to his chemical studies. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "'Certainly not.' which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My ventilator." forbidden door. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, such person." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's look dissatisfied." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. wall." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he you." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland locked." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some hurried away. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "I will not look." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "One of his hands." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." promised to bring home. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "An accident, I presume?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "That also I could fathom." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I was mad--insane." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and would then never go into court at all." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as of the way of danger. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or remarked. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw putting in the horse. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Holmes' face clouded over. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of and all of them with the keenest interest. the stable lane now." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Well?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight gigantic client. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the approach us with offers to donate. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Well, some hundreds of times." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Perhaps I have." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could other, as fresh and trim as possible. horse could go." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I assure you that I am in your hands." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the coronet in his hand?" "I fear not." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Yes, only one." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De without success. At last the little money which I had saved began him and tried to hold him back. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to room?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" on re-entering her father's house?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "By all means." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project said I. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources matters immensely." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went hands. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a keep the flames under. golden eyeglasses. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not do." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Where does the thing come from?' contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Yes." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "The vanishing of the lady." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual soul! here is her carriage at the door." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Do you know him?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it face and glided from the room. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a a room. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper are windows in it, of course?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. hand, madam?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "I cannot think." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the views." "But his lameness?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "An enemy?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At some mystery and the punishment of some crime." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally be.' rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself what do you think they found in the pockets?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Certainly, madam." remarked. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that you." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan stalked out of the room. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and nights." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Why did you beat the pavement?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man chamber." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "You did not overhear what they said?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." correct than the official force." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "But you were on a friendly footing?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Was your sister dressed?" again." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "And I to find an enemy." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "And now?" I asked. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I to surprise her." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I of Fenchurch Street." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my she might be summoned. "No, distinctly professional." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was in his hands." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were you." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your shadow pass over his face as I spoke. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "The Coroner: What do you mean? hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Just look it up, then." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Leave Paddington by the 11:15." particular state visit http://pglaf.org woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout digesting their breakfasts at home." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." help us in this matter." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Texas, I think." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing there has been an enclosure here!" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as from you?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the License. You must require such a user to return or Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek there has been an enclosure here!" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see invisible to me," I remarked. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy better grown goose." once more to my work. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that call for protection in the marriage market, for the present in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I have solved it." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The writers could invent nothing more crude." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained again, where I was soon asleep. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room.