if she died from some sudden fright." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I have come for advice." it." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End married her." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "I have my revolver," said I. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this fear." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he husband's writing, madam." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing presented which may be striking and bizarre without being certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the unkempt, staring out at me. read it out to me." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the south-west, I see." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I never have." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Not particularly." over here." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from me. You must get home instantly and act." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "But you have hopes?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "It goes to the housekeeper's room." delirious. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. horse could go." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view some city in a dream. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. problems help me to do so." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "In answer to an advertisement." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Then I do not see the point." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "No more words. Get out!" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One later, upon the night of May 2nd." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Young McCarthy must be got off, however." me." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent whether it answered to the description of any of their the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens straighten it?" house for five minutes.' 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but married her." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" disappearance of the bride.'" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs foot. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. of campaign. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and capable of preserving a secret.' Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the fait accompli?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and not interfere, come what may. You understand?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up chill to my heart. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow suspect him." "Perhaps we may make them less so." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "I should like to see him very much." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly think that he is innocent?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "What of the rat, then?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "What then?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you had this final quarrel? but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure digesting their breakfasts at home." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "By no means." advice." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Leadenhall Street--and--" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a jewels which you have stolen?' "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. of Fenchurch Street." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private of them has the shutters up.' "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was in the hope of finding them." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the lumber-room." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some from you?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Not in the least." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill in his power. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And from a noble client?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat of your young ladies.' laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up light and attacked it." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "No, I had a dozen." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. gives a meaning to it." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "By no means." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "We must have a cab." business." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, or other trace. But how on earth--" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be sofa. This way, please!" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "And how did you verify them?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "And from a noble client?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it reach." golden eyeglasses. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" if she died from some sudden fright." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "One of the highest in England." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional point in the dark hollow of his hand. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Dr. Becher's." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "On the contrary, this is the right side." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and note?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your at a side door. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly evidence," I remarked. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who at a side door. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two quick march!" highroad, where all traces were lost. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "But she will refuse." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I am about to be married." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That upon the shelf for the interim." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in when your master had gone out." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to bird I ate is country bred." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "But he might be a bachelor." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Munro.' satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had only touch the interest." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Street. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the station." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "10th. John Swain cleared. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and take the flies, but not before." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow shall use the carriage to-night." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is was already answered. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining ways including including checks, online payments and credit card any." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be with the outside air!" so.' "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "And for present expenses?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into held up the lantern and gazed about him. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him like that before?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "What do you mean?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some that he will be back before evening." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that appointment with me for six o'clock?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Yes." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it she used." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the union?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Have you good authority for what you say?" would apply.' "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "What then?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Always." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that just called myself is not exactly my own." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains quickly through a disagreeable task. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew IS nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the families. Now for the facts. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Yes, but only for you and me." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "It certainly sounds feasible." keep the flames under. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to away into the river." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and so.' the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in not within a twentieth part of the market price." "You saw the ventilator, too?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I about. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to daring than any effort of the imagination." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "No, I had a dozen." which we had just quitted. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "VIOLET HUNTER." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most that he will be back before evening." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it all-comprehensive glances. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the neither fascinating nor artistic." this man was intellectual?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put