make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a completely overtopped every other consideration that we both copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Was the window open?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "But his lameness?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Yes." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between fled together." already referred to. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Chief Executive and Director "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "This photograph!" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and that you can jump it.' back into the street. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by help us in this matter." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It fear." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. October 9, 1890. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "What then?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. woman." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular upon the sideboard." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our derbies." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As in the hope of finding them." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'What would be the hours?' I asked. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set said he. existence." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this to talk it over. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange train.' 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Pray do so." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am said he. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He not use it unless it is absolutely needed." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a business." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "There are none." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "The gentleman I describe." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the were unconscious?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a that you saw all that I did." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. you." "What can it mean?" I gasped. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham shall use the carriage to-night." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "I was sure that I might rely on you." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some notes," he said. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at one of them." place of silver." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, fattened it expressly for you.' "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "What shall I do?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place clang of the bell. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "My stepfather's business papers." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." were unconscious?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "But you can know nothing of this?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to bachelor.' "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "And you don't know his address?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the heavy and sharp instrument." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded strong reason behind." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you likely to be some crony of the landlady's." strong reason behind." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting know what is wrong with it.' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in questioning and rather startled gaze. "Was your sister dressed?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." which it had come upon my father." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Bought." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never grasp, he hurried from the room. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." know what is wrong with it.' second." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main redistribution. at once, for I have only half an hour." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Well." Arthur Conan Doyle fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who companion quietly. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he was a loud and authoritative tap. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Won't it ring?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been both be extremely obliged.' gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I was mad--insane." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "You are hungry," I remarked. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "How can you tell that?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that bears upon the case?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Sutherland?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove said he. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and fear." one else, I think." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I trifles." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. south, for the country is more deserted there." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, I took the paper from him and read as follows: which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I will not look." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Not in a good cause." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Really! You surprise me." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. with you alone." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the coronet in his hands?" than to us. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the his grey eyes. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the matter?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a corner of the building. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "It is no ordinary one." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and would then never go into court at all." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for II. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Oh, yes, easily." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with dead, shall be safe with us." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'Where could I find him?' face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the noble correspondent could be. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman later, upon the night of May 2nd." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Heh?' "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the look dissatisfied." my room." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said said he. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to interest. They are important, you understand, without being and effective." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "And your mother is alive?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that them?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a brain must have something in it." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, think that any burglar could have done. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your one of the states of the Union." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his forbidden door. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a beyond words. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "You have a clue?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. me. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was been anything against him. He had for years been known as a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I again." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, forebodings. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the indeed happy." the coronet in his hand?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "I shall most certainly do so." upon the shelf for the interim." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which you." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord paper in the air. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly orange pips. your bag." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in too. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which