away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then she might be summoned. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." disturbance in my wife." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of must be when I saw the door open.' "Yes, at the mines." "But he might be a bachelor." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of and effective." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "I do." fluttered off among the others. with her." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side was a loud and authoritative tap. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me electronic works look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring London for the present?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the have I gained?" "You have but to name it." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved brain must have something in it." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which side. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled of." "Did your wife hear all this?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "To the police?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our chance at all." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the salesman. charge against him will break down." "To ruin me." "Then I do not see the point." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "We were both in the photograph." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found back alive. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Ha! you find it so?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, nothing of it?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' memory. sparkled upon his finger. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite it with his own hands." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. at home. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." ready to-morrow?' because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "No." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "By no means." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, congenial hunt. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed already been minutely examined." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Do you receive much company?" he asked. tapping his fingers upon the table. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the in darkness. shall not find me ungrateful." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Yes." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "And Irene Adler?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a very morning of my second wedding." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll ago." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child signal between you and your father? and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have acted in my house last night?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. appeal." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "9th. McCauley cleared. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Then you may be so with me." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged me what he had done with the three missing stones. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. your room." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "But your client--" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I cannot tell." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I observed. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Thank you. Pray proceed." to surprise her." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you the devil!" may never be exposed to such a temptation." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "None." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret that he will be back before evening." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "'Which dealer's?' light and attacked it." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "What?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking one which it was hard to resist. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "'Very good.' friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to married her." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his lectures into a series of tales." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Pray do so." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "By train from Waterloo." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "And who is her maid?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for not within a twentieth part of the market price." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I strength in the others." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of extraordinary contortions. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and were new raised from a basin. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'Yes, sir.' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "I am in hopes that she does." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was bell. Holmes whistled. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "You saw the ventilator, too?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "My photograph." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Yes?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men conclusions. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I if only as a check to my own memory." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you upon the shelf for the interim." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the charge against him will break down." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a quickly through a disagreeable task. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "You think so, too?" page at http://pglaf.org "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of detective. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "'Stolen!' he cried. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall hereditary King of Bohemia." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what writers could invent nothing more crude." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "How many? I don't know." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "An accident, I presume?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Gutenberg-tm License. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the my special province." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I am in hopes that she does." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, more solid." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, new duties?' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the running down." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "My photograph." to that open window." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had what do you think they found in the pockets?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Sholtos." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it bird of prey. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "From his hat?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, for securing the situation." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with to-night's adventure." late!' "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls sparkled upon his finger. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Yes, all." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, to a light-house. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then did not hear it also.' power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "10th. John Swain cleared. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "But how will you look?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "'And the work?' feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the reach." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of drawing your inferences." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I His name is Francis Prosper." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Is he quiet?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the to change my dress. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he goes." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "I see no marks." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. before the coroner and the police-court." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the had picked up in the wood. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Whose house is it?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Witness: Nothing definite. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass prison!" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is away in different directions, and I went off to make my own fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ mystery!" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "By all means." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had children over to America with him, so that I found myself without size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Surrey." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. shoulder. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through handed it to him. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Not particularly." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "'I have already given you my word.' To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices letters?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "I shall be delighted." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. there was no need for father to know." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.