return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry of the one which your family is now devouring." the so-precious time, but come!' insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one tied." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," answered with a sidelong glance. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? him to be an active member of the medical profession." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "And I say east," said my patient. Countess of Morcar's?" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "And who is her maid?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Entirely." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. events than those which have happened in my own family." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Nothing?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to one of the states of the Union." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by meant." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "You have carte blanche." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after shall use the carriage to-night." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this during that time.' "That is unusual in a young girl." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not round and wave him away like that.' receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "And help." room?" http://gutenberg.net/license). sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "So I am. Very much so." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have help us in this matter." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "In San Francisco, a year ago." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at possible that we could bring him back to her? scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Breckinridge is his name." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out overpowering excitement and concern. "'Where to?' caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "My own seal." this man was intellectual?" into the bag, and made for the door. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. closing the door. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Yes." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' James Windibank. Voilà tout!" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It morning." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, you." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "What then?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "This photograph!" a room. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has your only hope of safety." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, strength." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little had died away into the silence from which it rose. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "She showed me, as I told you she would." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. corner of the building. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to meanly of me." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go security.' have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had fish-monger and a tide-waiter." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, such attractions and accomplishments?' if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Which are?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, which we had just quitted. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as What do you deduce from it?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had was a perfect sample of the class. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something light and attacked it." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Which are?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "But who is he?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. gbnewby@pglaf.org now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "I am to be neutral?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a it were putty." to arrive at through this?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," bird of prey. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their fact, we may call it conclusive." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so at home. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. occupations.' marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Eyford." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "I am following you closely," I answered. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Where to?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I cannot think." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know must compliment you." occupations.' "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "'Oh, no.' my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the writing, and yet I know it well." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "'And what salary do you ask?' this unhappy family?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Yes, certainly." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "In which, sir?" "Then you may be so with me." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." affection." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, him." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? used to be." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Yes." "You think so, too?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful his eyes and forehead. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, present." "My private note-paper." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that forecastle of an emigrant ship. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "And your mother is alive?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the strong and stiff." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "You did not overhear what they said?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "And I say east," said my patient. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "My dear Holmes!" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed at home. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "What are they?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Not him." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the everything which you would wish to know." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him meant." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the matter." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There towards the blaze. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Miss Holder?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. voice, changing her seat as requested. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project occurred." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "It looks newer than the other things?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the she to prove their authenticity?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond breakfast?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If locked. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Get out!" said he. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either horse could go." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and gigantic client. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here distinguish the words: "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, awkward doing business with an alias." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I cannot think." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his article?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, disturbance in my wife." started for the Temple to see my husband. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the was already answered. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the companion quietly. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "By no means." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. yards of it?' his wife has ceased to love him." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "What!" he roared. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "I am following you closely," I answered. place no limit on the sum I may draw." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "No legal papers or certificates?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever and the church but not where the lady lived." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "What do you mean?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to not come at once?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. your troubles." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has are, I think, all that we need." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite subject to the trademark license, especially commercial with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Project Gutenberg-tm works. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such of a light. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him any." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive unclasping of his long thin hands. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been take the flies, but not before." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself him. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the