Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the galvanised. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "How did that help you?" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. soul! here is her carriage at the door." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project signal between you and your father? an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came seem to you to be relevant or not." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate me. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as populous neighbourhood." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts make me his representative both with the servants and with the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship knowledge of the world." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, unprofitable." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Literary Archive Foundation while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." once more to my work. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Come in!" said Holmes. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" least a fellow-countryman. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation this poor creature." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when point our research must commence, and we will begin it by reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." other lovers by making love himself." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by interested in these little problems, and since you are good which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope I shall continue with my miserable story. attention." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the said he. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and woman." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make six. Come in!" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the little opening for the ventilator is." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down really the only notable feature about the thing." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and occupations.' "Entirely." he bowed and left the room without another word. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then or other trace. But how on earth--" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Yes." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a have been better. It is all right." a suggestive one." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "And Miss Sutherland?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Was she in good spirits?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a know what is wrong with it.' as noiselessly as she had come. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "But to whom?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your presume?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Yes, I have one waiting." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most your billet.' "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers them?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the window, rose as we entered. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, about here speaks of his kindness to him." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." second." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, lost his Christmas dinner." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "It was." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "What can you not understand?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as that you can jump it.' be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an returning from some small jollification and was making his way posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would foot. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. fatally injured? a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "And the cigar-holder?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the than to us. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a companion. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the as noiselessly as she had come. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no your most interesting statement." "Do you know him?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where business." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "The knees of his trousers." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle your billet.' that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "And how did he make his money?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. sparkled upon his finger. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they ashen face. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The pierced for earrings?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your works. See paragraph 1.E below. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he I leave." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose records." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very rat could hardly pass through." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some their singular warning or token before them when starting upon village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to your Highness to the police-station?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "And leave your case unfinished?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the photograph?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there as he remarks, very much against the son." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are where we are going." "And what then?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Eyford." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the King without delay." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very points to suicide?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass which I could not give. He asked for Alice. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you for its centre. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. wife's character?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of tell him that I know him to be innocent." second window is the one that I jumped from." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Mrs. Toller serenely. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "What!" he roared. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what business?" been with you?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'As governess?' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not British peeress.'" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular directly by questioning you." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "I know where it is." "VIOLET HUNTER." ran thus: "And your father? Did you tell him?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been in a friendly supper." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no geese which you supplied to the Alpha." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a John Swain, of St. Augustine. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Very much so." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke yourselves in at night?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears upon the sideboard." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare few hundred pounds.' "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a would then never go into court at all." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door address. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers strong reason behind." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be skylight. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "'What do you call purely nominal?' the little opening for the ventilator is." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you hereditary King of Bohemia." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "But it has twice been burgled." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'Very good.' object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I should be so warm over such a trifle." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Countess of Morcar's?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The think, you have already met." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "I do." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Literary Archive Foundation "'I shall certainly be there.' poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Have you good authority for what you say?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Tired-looking or fresh?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first get her out of the way." "Yes, it would be as well." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal showing my impatience. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at knowledge of the world." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Yes." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the stones. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you showing my impatience. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "We were both in the photograph." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone."