appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him any more." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and imbecility!" he cried. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that must be when I saw the door open.' "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "The vanishing of the lady." showing my impatience. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I will not look." lost his Christmas dinner." the warnings." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to I. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found his cane at the bell-pull. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Lee, in the county of Kent." call the police, let the police find what they can.' cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. of campaign. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your late." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the peculiar to him. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, astonishment. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, hard-headed British jury." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a your equipment. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "The knees of his trousers." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. outside. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, putting in the horse. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. details." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally go--none." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the one as in the other." all-comprehensive glances. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Farm upon the left." "And how did you find out?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day one's self under obligations.' "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Imitated." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar throat." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is gives a meaning to it." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a next day. with some details as to your case." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a out." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread me. You must get home instantly and act." to talk it over. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Whose house is it?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I it." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in this man was intellectual?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the was lame." very morning of my second wedding." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Perfectly so." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "I never have." three of the beryls in it, was missing. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as during that time.' shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I most interesting one." of your young ladies.' words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you enter Dr. Roylott's room." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "And on what day did he meet his death?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "A greater distance to travel." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "'And the work?' in the hope of finding them." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and leave you to your papers for a little." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event acted in my house last night?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a about here speaks of his kindness to him." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of see me here to avoid scandal." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four all-comprehensive glances. "'Quite sure, dad.' "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, at my own good fortune. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Why did you beat the pavement?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a very old mansion. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door will not take me long to tell. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Where did he live, then?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal yards of it?' "'Certainly,' I answered. fluttered off among the others. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the McCarthy's innocence. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'About the same.' of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still words came to my lips. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Tired-looking or fresh?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an just ask you whether you had heard it.' me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "'I am sure that I do not know.' you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, and that he would see to anything that turned up. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Pray continue your narrative." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the which are rolled in Rotterdam." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable our word." "I came to find a friend." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a a monotonous occupation." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of open." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way help us in this matter." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "A call for help, you thought?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Again Holmes raved in the air. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "My private note-paper." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not me have 200 pounds?' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" matter." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "We must sit without light. He would see it through the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "I cannot tell." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from such person." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you not, dad?" she asked. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be already been minutely examined." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left may have an influence upon European history." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have events, Mr. Windibank!" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what already referred to. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something is acting for the best. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "It surprised me." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Was your sister dressed?" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the nursery. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the address that was given us in the advertisement. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we to-night?" I asked. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten me what he had done with the three missing stones. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any skylight. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw fasten all the windows?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot recover the gem." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my has little to do with my story." "But how?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between later, upon the night of May 2nd." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "And when will you call?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Where to?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your all that?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing you." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Why did you pick him?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the stones. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old garden below. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check and looked back. child?' "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "The King of Scandinavia." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an