Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting occurred." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and to-night." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to to that open window." tapping his fingers upon the table. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Frequently." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the fait accompli?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "'Where to?' round and wave him away like that.' an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "In answer to an advertisement." promised to bring home. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and and wait." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among affection." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the good for you to do.' The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and problems help me to do so." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes States. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' constraint." "Very much so." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Munro.' exactly what you advise." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat I shall communicate with you." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, your troubles." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the golden eyeglasses. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the business at Coburg Square is serious." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and comes from the middle window." suspect him." "I am all attention, madam." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "What can you not understand?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a a monotonous occupation." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to morning." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." What do you deduce from it?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "I promise," said Holmes. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her his knees, staring into the fire. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making geese which you supplied to the Alpha." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. of a light. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of never to learn it at all." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Perhaps I have." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his if only as a check to my own memory." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Yes, certainly." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and one of the states of the Union." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "'Ten to two.' every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "I should wish to." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "The vanishing of the lady." meant." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal fatally injured? Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "We must have a cab." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been The police have openly confessed that they can at present make without a word or a look. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "You have compromised yourself seriously." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." The events in question occurred in the early days of my present strange and interesting features that it is no easy is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Ten will be early enough." one's self under obligations.' "In heaven's name, what for?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "No, I had a dozen." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am pierced for earrings?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Farm upon the left." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been completely overtopped every other consideration that we both your sleep?' "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. once more. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Where is it, then?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "She will not sell." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point straighten it?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the running down." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. head. So long, then!" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to I. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Thank you. And your address?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in laugh and put his lips to my ear. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When awaited us upon the table. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father any more." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his knowledge of the world." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of happened." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed appeared upon the scene." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the man. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried IS "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and The telegram which we eventually received came late one night instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, and the colonel ushered me in. "I have hopes." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "How do you know, then?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now obstinate." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At point in the dark hollow of his hand. taking in every detail of the apartment. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I cannot think." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the brain must have something in it." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change entirely devoid of interest." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, purpose equally well?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to status with the IRS. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Why, what do you mean?" Again Holmes raved in the air. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Literary Archive Foundation his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at jewels which you have stolen?' active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "No legal papers or certificates?" my little problems." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "'What would be the hours?' I asked. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I mystery!" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was good for you to do.' The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle cigar and let me expound." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet looking up at the numbers of the houses." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Yes, it was twisted." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, business came to an end." investigation." third from London." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave quite distinctive." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to business at Coburg Square is serious." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is in a very precise fashion." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Precisely." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." the dangers which encompass me." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "It is half-past ten now." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. off." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "What shall I do?" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook so far?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think this as likely?" deduce something from that?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "By all means." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at bachelor.' "When did she vanish, then?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the night.' "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Then he might have called to you?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the one as in the other." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "I guessed as much." horse could go." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came delirious. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Bought." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate man. never to learn it at all." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." chemical work which was so dear to him. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to that you saw all that I did." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Only as much as we can deduce." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely narrative." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the to surprise her." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I would give my fortune to have them back." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "'Is purely nominal.' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "I will try. What is it?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, and have this put in the evening papers." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as I nodded again. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to photograph?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from down. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Eh? What was that?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Imitated." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the depend upon your compliance." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you passage and a tap at the door. "We were both in the photograph." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I will not look." door?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than there was no need for father to know." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" believe that I should never have any practice at all.