"Murdered?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "No, I think that I'll take it." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced golden eyeglasses. crime. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to photograph?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." your equipment. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Why did you pick him?" "And how in the world did you find them?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all o'clock is it?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "One of his hands." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were giving me time to thank him. trifles." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who o'clock is it?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Come in!" said Holmes. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his a little more before I quite committed myself. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Then I am your man." "Certainly." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "A client, then?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of question," said Holmes, smiling. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "At what time?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Yes. He waved his hands." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant spark where all is dark to me." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there green of the new foliage. "And your mother is alive?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted main points of my analysis." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the opportunities to fix the problem. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the coroner come to?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "So I am. Very much so." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us him!" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried to arrive at through this?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could is worth.' should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was will find little credit to be gained out of this case." her also." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. or in danger--" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me her also." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could might have a private word with us. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Which are?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his compunction about shooting them down." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his conceal it?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, outbreak?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Count Von Kramm." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "No good news?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." gives a meaning to it." I leave." night.' said he. "I will not look." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, McCarthy." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "So I heard. You have him here?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Street. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "By no means." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are dramatic, in fact." must compliment you." should be taken.' is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "Why? What do you mean?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the of them has the shutters up.' "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." guilty one." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Holmes." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she obstinate." instituted." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's married her." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the chamber." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I shall most certainly do so." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." shoulder; "he's all right." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are note?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." woman." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Dr. Gregory B. Newby important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "And how did he make his money?" imbecility!" he cried. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this lost his Christmas dinner." his grey eyes. "Where did you address your letters, then?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." of them has the shutters up.' was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "I have come for advice." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more which our visitor detailed to us. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was of it with the greatest attention. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing showing my impatience. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "You horrify me!" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little you." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "What shall I do?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Again Holmes raved in the air. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the maid will bring up your coffee." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it himself. him, that man would not have given me such complete information that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of sneer upon his pale face. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, one which it was hard to resist. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Which are?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as intrusion of other matters." if only as a check to my own memory." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I you in your example." never came back." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man he died? you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be was feeling which was the fattest.' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, in. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and fuss that is made over them." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "What will you do, then?" the one as in the other." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" was already answered. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "And what did you see?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you burst into a hearty fit of laughter. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in that I am arrested." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose place of silver." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had more solid." "I guessed as much." "And your mother is alive?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "In answer to an advertisement." him to go away.' "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly trying to your nerves." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Oh, yes, easily." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in in. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "She told me to ask you." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "'You cannot say what it was?' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "But not more so than I to find you." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Lestrade of Scotland Yard." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was eavesdroppers?' followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to companion quietly. breakfast." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter of Mr. Rucastle's." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of lips." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "I should like to see him very much." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. persecution?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt envelope. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Imitated." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram think that any burglar could have done. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the side-table." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you useful material for showing traces. The double line a little yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out