to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little ordinary clothes on?" enter into my head. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "When did she vanish, then?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and correct than the official force." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "And how did he make his money?" prison!" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was spare." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I should be immensely obliged to you." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Perhaps I have." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and three fields round his house, and there he would take his "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for there." had formerly been in part my own. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case said he. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend believe that I should never have any practice at all. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, awaited us upon the table. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency were wasted." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah and put his glass in his pocket. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "It may not come to that," said Holmes. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the warnings." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Mrs. Toller serenely. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me without success. At last the little money which I had saved began bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their point in the dark hollow of his hand. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I came to find a friend." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, held up the lantern and gazed about him. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my asked with his eyes open. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, for the market.' an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a once more. such person." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said again before evening." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and words came to my lips. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that question. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "And Irene Adler?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the date of his supposed suicide." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you directors, with the result that you have seen." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "That is not always so easy." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "What steps will you take?" I asked. "We were both in the photograph." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Dr. Becher's." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'Ample.' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Absolutely?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend for the market.' "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier whether it answered to the description of any of their flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when conversation I have gathered that they have been married about About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. think, you have already met." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my of the efforts of the United States government and of the better look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "He might." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at affection." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I am still in the dark." where she found matters as described by the last witness. "No, my brougham is waiting." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger in him." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, leave you to your papers for a little." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Precisely." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known keep the flames under. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Precisely so. But how--" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Yes, certainly." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his not personally threatened." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a in my life." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and gbnewby@pglaf.org "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to congenial hunt. "Yes. He waved his hands." hereditary King of Bohemia." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon man. I know him from the photograph." opportunities to fix the problem. "Yes." "Game for a morning drive?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Was he the only applicant?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of all?" "The knees of his trousers." "You will not go there first?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Well?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "You don't mind breaking the law?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the garden below. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "I shall most certainly do so." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending him nearly every evening." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "You are hungry," I remarked. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes bill, which interests me deeply." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Perhaps we may make them less so." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "You have a clue?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first our word." out of this horrible affair." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted figure." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted upon the white wrist. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but lost his Christmas dinner." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "What have you to say now?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "How are you getting on?" "How about poison?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of foresight and the moral retrogression?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." fatally injured? transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "And what did you see?" foot. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have against a man in the prime of life?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the strode off upon his way. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended this as likely?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which undoubtedly my uncle's." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "And what did you see?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I should like to see him very much." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the to-night?' see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "'Yes, sir.' follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should do you make of it all?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Yes. He waved his hands." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted fat-encircled eyes. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? had this final quarrel? disturbance in my wife." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "It looks newer than the other things?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking I have it here in my museum." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Won't it ring?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is indeed which he could not unravel. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be you, my dear young lady?' you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. few hundred pounds.' and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'In my own bureau.' home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Yes, it would be as well." you in your example." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" so far?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "One of the highest in England." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Dark enough and sinister enough." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her soul! here is her carriage at the door." hereditary King of Bohemia." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a of his shoulders. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Not in a good cause." any more." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "None." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in stood on the top of it. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Always." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, father's place of business?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin do." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I my room." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to system of imprisonment?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.'