of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "No, thank goodness, she did not." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Ha! you find it so?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "My own seal." careless servant girl?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there heavily into it. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Precisely so. But how--" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at absorbing." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "The Coroner: What do you mean? with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "How about poison?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind vault. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility I held the little printed slip to the light. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Yes, certainly." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, you for a few hours?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the what is your own theory as to what took place?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "No." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "No, distinctly professional." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "And did you observe any change in her then?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. cheerful." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked was once confined in the cab my mission was practically since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Yes." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "A client, then?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me me have 200 pounds?' "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they to a light-house. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Of what?" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "None. Neville wrote those words." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down point in the dark hollow of his hand. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read room had already been engaged for us. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his and wait." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here again on its way. "That also I could fathom." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "What steps will you take?" I asked. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner strength." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "The murder was done with it." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so highroad, where all traces were lost. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have suspect him." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "I was mad--insane." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "You have but to name it." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham bed dies. Does not that strike you?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." his face which made him a very different person to the round, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. I took the paper from him and read as follows: flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with when you have done it." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we instituted." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in that before taking the final step I should like to submit the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign happened." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for lost nothing by them." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but it." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but the King without delay." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for been." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't more solid." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Texas, I think." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "And how did you verify them?" "Do you know him?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Yes." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for them, and came down just as you departed. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had at a side door. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Pope's Court. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant stammered. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be with some details as to your case." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Very murderous indeed." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the matter?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Literary Archive Foundation with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "What will you say?" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these you came in." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped The King stared at him in amazement. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by my friend's incisive reasoning. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "No." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT people don't know." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "That is it on the dressing-table." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the overpowering excitement and concern. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the enter into my head. something of him before." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a think you a quite exceptional woman." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the This is what he says: room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his case before our client came into the room." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves as he folded up the epistle. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." helping a boy to put up the shutters. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each are, I think, all that we need." morning." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came row." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the house with me." I. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who delirious. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Was he the only applicant?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass electronic works did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." congratulate you again." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang For additional contact information: "It surprised me." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "In answer to an advertisement." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Yes?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few used to be." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are returned to France?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "What! Had he lost his wife?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre for its centre. "Get out!" said he. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "And what then?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "It's nothing of the kind." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Where to?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Leave Paddington by the 11:15." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "And Irene Adler?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "A greater distance to travel." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "But how?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "You have the photograph?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting I nodded again. mystery may be cleared along those lines." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I whether it answered to the description of any of their down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will comes from the middle window." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was bearing upon the case." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I chance at all." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Holmes, the busybody!" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried carpenter." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was matter." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Yes, they were peculiar boots." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT felt?" go from here to the Strand." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the But Holmes shook his head gravely. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low union?" that I can to serve you." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no You can understand that this register and diary may implicate of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "You have it, sir, just as it happened." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in galvanised. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass once more. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to vague figure huddled up in the darkness. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another your billet.' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, introspective fashion. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Yes, all." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some might help us?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One like that before?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' pressing in one house as in another. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter really the only notable feature about the thing." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from when you have done it." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "But you would not advise me to refuse?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a